Microvascular surgery is a type of surgery performed under the magnification of a microscope. The blood vessels and nerves that supply fingers and small body parts such as ears, scalps, tongues and noses are so small that surgeons need to use a microscope to place sutures in blood vessel walls and nerve coverings. This process establishes or re-establishes connections for blood flow and nerve transmission.
Since 1970, surgeons have performed thousands of successful reconstructive procedures at California Pacific Medical Center’s Microsurgery Surgery Center on the Davies Campus, giving new hope to patients. This includes the first human toe-to-hand transplant in 1972, and the first scalp replant and the first four-digit replant in the United States, both in 1976.
Microsurgery services include:
- Emergency Replantation Surgery — In these procedures, the immediate survival of the part depends on the reattachment of the blood vessels. But the ultimate goal is to restore function, so it’s also crucial to repair bone, nerves, tendons and soft tissue. For severe damage, some patients may require follow-up reconstructive work.
- Free-Tissue Transplants — These are also called free-flap transplants and are usually elective surgeries. For example, your doctor may suggest a muscle transplant to cover a defect caused by an accident, burn or disease, for cosmetic or functional restoration (or both).
- Nerve Repair and Nerve Grafting — During a nerve repair procedure, two ends of a nerve are sewn together to help the nerves regenerate. If there’s extensive damage to a nerve and the two ends can’t be connected, a nerve graft is used to bridge the gap.
We specialize in reconstructive surgeries such as:
- Toe-to-Hand Transplant — Surgery that reconstructs a thumb or finger(s) with a great toe or second toe transplant.
- Facial Paralysis Re-animation — Surgery to restore natural and balanced movement in facial nerves damaged by trauma or disease.
- Limb Salvage — Surgery to replace diseased bone and tissue, without amputation.
- Functional Muscle Transplant — Surgery performed on the muscles to cover a defect caused by an accident, burn or disease.
- Tissue Replant — This includes the tongue and scalp.
- Phalloplasty — Transgender female to male surgery.
