By: Andreas Krag Engel

Reconstructive microsurgery involves free flap coverage of defects from e.g. trauma or tumour ablation. Tissue ischemia is obligatory until blood supply is restored by microvascular anastomosis.

Prolonged ischemia causes ischemia reperfusion injury with acute inflammation and microcirculatory thrombosis in tissues. Hence, new techniques are needed to attenuate the ischemic damage and reperfusion injury to free flaps.

In collaboration with other research laboratories at Aarhus University Hospital, we perform experimental and clinical studies on free flap ischemia reperfusion injury. Currently, we are studying the effects of “ischemic preconditioning” on the outcome of reconstructive microsurgery.