During vascular anastomosis of experimental ischemic free flaps it is
common to observe that stagnant blood in the vessel ends has clotted.
A study was performed to investigate if flushing away the stagnant blo
od on division of the vessels would increase flap survival. Flushing d
id not influence flap survival. Clinically, clot is rarely seen, excep
t conditions of prolonged ischemia or damaged vessels. Current surgica
l practice does not involve flushing the vessel ends upon division of
the vessels and this approach is affirmed by our results. (C) 1994 Wil
ey-Liss, Inc.