Experimental And Clinical Reconstructive Microsurgery

Since the first successful digit replantation in Japan in 1965, the field of microvascular surgery has rapidly progressed throughout Japan and the world. Experimental and Clinical Reconstructive Microsurgery draws on the experience of a large number of experts in the areas of experimental microsurgery, limb and digit replantation, and composite tissue transplantation. The result is an extensive monograph covering the history and future prospects of microsurgery, essential microsurgical techniques for laboratory research, and the fundamental methods of harvesting tissues and their grafting techniques. Because the field of microsurgery includes a broad range of clinical disciplines, this book is a valuable resource to all orthopedic, traumatic, and plastic surgeons with an interest in microsurgery.

Path-Breaking Work in Plastic and Reconstructive Microsurgery by Dr. Doina Dumitrescu-Ionescu was reviewed by David Soutar for The Royal College of Surgeons of England: “This is a refreshingly original and unusual text. It is a testament to the life work of the author and her struggle to develop clinical microsurgery in Rumania. It takes the reader on a journey starting with learning the basic techniques of microsurgery, laboratory and experimental research, teaching and training. It then progresses to the building of an infrastructure for development and clinical practice, the maintenance of meticulous records and the evaluation of results. As such, the book is a very personal account written in an informal style so that the reader can follow the author’s own development and experience. “The format is unusual beginning with the author’s philosophy for developing reconstructive microsurgery. It then covers personal techniques developed for peripheral techniques developed for peripheral nerve repairs and microvascular anastomosis. It is clear from early on in this book that the author’s main interest lies in the management of peripheral nerves, particularly in the limbs. There is a section on reconstructive microsurgery of the brachial plexus following trauma and a section on limb replantation.” Says the author, “The reconstructive microsurgery experience helped me to modernize reparative plastic surgery in Romania in reconstructive plastic surgery and reconstructive microsurgery by radically changing the surgical approach.” This allowed also for new procedures in Dupuytren’s Disease, Volkmann, and post-burn contractures approach, “revolutionizing everything that was repair surgery of any extremity, cephalic, superior, inferior, but also the extension of reconstructions in the large defects of suprascheletal soft parts.”

This book presents100 cases covering all areas of reconstructive surgery. Divided into six parts (Head/Neck, Upper Extremity, Lower Extremity, Trunk, Breast and Lymphedema), it guides the reader through the difficult path of problem diagnosis, analysis and decision-making, presenting concrete steps and techniques for the successful management of patients with specific reconstructive needs. Each full-color case starts with a patient profile and continues with the diagnosis, key decisions, treatment plan, surgical procedure(s) and technical steps, postoperative management, outcome and case conclusion. Further, each case includes a discussion of pros and cons, comments, learning points and suggestions for further reading.This book will be useful for all surgeons actively involved or interested in Reconstructive Microsurgery and valuable for Senior Residents and Fellows in Plastic, Head and Neck, Breast Surgery and Orthopedics.

Between 1977-1987, I established and developed the Reconstructive Microsurgery Department at the "Carol Davila" University of Medicine and Pharmacy in Bucharest. I took my models from the pioneers of the international reconstructive microsurgery. The main stages in the development of my project included: theoretical study, experimental microsurgery in a specialized laboratory, the microsurgical reconstruction of peripheral nerves, replantations and revascularizations, post-traumatic brachial plexus, free flap transfer as well as other miscellaneous clinical reconstructive microsurgery (female and male sterility treatment). By 1987, I was able to perform all types of reconstructive microsurgery known in the world at the time; by 2005, I already had a large collection of significant cases equally useful to teaching and research.