Single‐stage versus two‐stage arteriovenous loop microsurgical reconstruction: A meta‐analysis of the literature

Thirty-five unique papers discussed utilizing AV loops in a single- or two-stage approach, yielding 260 and 98 single- and two-stage AV loops, respectively. There was a statistically significant higher rate of major complications in two-stage as compared to single-stage AV loops. There was a non-statistically significant difference in rate of minor complications in the single-stage as compared to two-stage AV loops. Overall, there was a statistically significant higher success rate in the single-stage as compared to two-stage AV loops CONCLUSION: There was a statistically significant higher rate of major complications and failures in two-stage AV loops. As well-conducted randomized controlled studies are nearly impossible to perform in this population, the decision to pursue a single- versus two-stage reconstruction should ultimately be determined based on individual patient co-morbidities, the size and etiology of defect, and the type of free tissue transfer planned.