The replies to a questionnaire about current microvascular practice circulated to microsurgeons worldwide are summarized and discussed. The material comprises results of 6,594 procedures performed during 1989. The survey topics dealt with include overall success rates in free flap transfer and replantation surgery, antithrombotic therapy, frequency of thrombosis, and frequency of reoperation. At centres not using antithrombotic therapy, the frequency of thrombosis in free flap procedures was higher than at centres using antithrombotic therapy, the result being a higher reoperation rate at the former. However, the final success rates for free flap transfers were about the same (95-96%). The success rate for replantation with antithrombotic therapy was 92%; few centres attempted replantation without such treatment, and at these centres, the success rate was 82%, and reoperation was not attempted. The same modes of antithrombotic therapy and postoperative monitoring are used worldwide.

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Forty-seven months postinjury, burn patients still experienced a significant reduction of generic health, reporting limitations related to both physical and psychosocial SF-36 domains. On the other hand, the patients as a group reported overall quality of life similar to that of the norm population, suggesting that they were able to feel satisfaction with their new situation of life. Identification of several risk factors for reduced generic health status and overall quality of life support the need for specialized multidisciplinary aftercare for burn patients.