The Use of Prostaglandin E1 in Head and Neck Microsurgery

Summary

Prostaglandin E1 (PGE1 )has been shown to have vasodilatation and anti-thrombosis effects, so it is used by some surgeons after microsurgery to keep the patency of the anastomosed small vessels. However, PGE 1 may also causes some complications, like pleural effusion or deep vein thrombosis. Therefore, it remains uncertain whether a routine use of PGE 1 after head and neck microsurgery is justified. We aim to test the hypothesis that PGE 1 increases postoperative vessel patency rate in patients undergoing head and neck microsurgery, with a comparable complication rate as the control group.

Timeline

Start

2008-07

Primary completion

2009-07

Completion

2010-07

Publications

• Background Disa JJ, Polvora VP, Pusic AL, Singh B, Cordeiro PG. Dextran-related complications in head and neck microsurgery: do the benefits outweigh the risks? A prospective randomized analysis. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2003 Nov;112(6):1534-9. doi: 10.1097/01.PRS.0000083378.58757.54.
• Background Rodriguez Vegas JM, Ruiz Alonso ME, Teran Saavedra PP. PGE-1 in replantation and free tissue transfer: early preliminary experience. Microsurgery. 2007;27(5):395-7. doi: 10.1002/micr.20377.
• Background Ashjian P, Chen CM, Pusic A, Disa JJ, Cordeiro PG, Mehrara BJ. The effect of postoperative anticoagulation on microvascular thrombosis. Ann Plast Surg. 2007 Jul;59(1):36-9; discussion 39-40. doi: 10.1097/01.sap.0000264837.15110.2f.
• Background Watanabe H, Anayama S, Horiuchi T, Sato E, Hamada Y, Ishihara H. Pleural effusion caused by prostaglandin E1 preparation. Chest. 2003 Mar;123(3):952-3. doi: 10.1378/chest.123.3.952.
• Background Barthelmes L, Chezhian C, Aihaku EK. Deep venous thrombosis and venous thrombophlebitis associated with alprostadil treatment for erectile dysfunction. Int J Impot Res. 2002 Jun;14(3):199-200. doi: 10.1038/sj.ijir.3900853.
• Background Lee KS, Suh JD, Han SB, Yoo JC, Lee SJ, Cho SJ. The effect of aspirin and prostaglandin E(1) on the patency of microvascular anastomosis in the rats. Hand Surg. 2001 Dec;6(2):177-85. doi: 10.1142/s0218810401000643.

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