The role of the plastic surgeon in suspected spider bites: case series and italian national survey on diagnosis and treatment

Introduction. Spider bite injuries are an emerging topic of interest worldwide. Although the incidence of cases appears to be rising, European literature provides only limited insight. This study aims to characterize suspected spider bites in Italy, highlight the role of the plastic surgeon in treatment, and lay the groundwork for future research. Medically significant spiders in Italy include Loxosceles rufescens, Latrodectus tredecimguttatus, and Cheiracanthium punctorium. Differential diagnosis, both in identifying the spider and in interpreting the clinical presentation of unverified cases, is complex.
Methods. A 10-question survey was developed to investigate the epidemiological, diagnostic, and therapeutic aspects of spider bites and was distributed to members of the Italian Society of Plastic, Reconstructive, and Aesthetic Surgery. Additionally, a case series of four moderate-to-severe suspected spider bite injuries is described.
Results. The survey, involving 40 plastic surgeons, revealed that cases are rare and spider identification is often uncertain. Within a year, 47.5% of respondents reported no systemic symptom cases, and 45% treated only one patient. Antibiotics were the most commonly used medications, and biopsy was deemed the most useful diagnostic tool. Enzymatic or autolytic debridement was performed in 66.7% of cases, while immediate reconstruction was rare. The case series included one secondary-intention healing, one skin graft reconstruction, and two free flap reconstructions.
Conclusions. Three patients in the case series experienced further necrosis development within 5 weeks of onset. Delayed reconstruction after 5 weeks appears to be advisable. Establishing a national database in collaboration with arachnologists could enhance future studies and guidelines development.

INTRODUCTION

Microsurgery plays a pivotal role in complex reconstructive procedures, aiming to restore both function and aesthetics ^1-3. The microvascular coupler device has revolutionized venous anastomosis by significantly reducing operative times and ensuring high patency rates ^4,5. Its use, however, demands precise technique and complete intima-to-intima apposition, highlighting the need for structured training and a gradual learning curve ⁶.

Simulation training on animal models has long been recognized as essential in microsurgical education. Among these, the pig is frequently adopted due to its anatomical and physiological similarities to humans. The objective of this study is to present and validate a porcine model for microvascular coupler training in novice surgeons.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Five venous microanastomoses were performed on two common-breed adult pigs (Sus scrofa domesticus), each weighing approximately 35 kg. Animals were placed in a supine position under general anesthesia. Using 2.5× magnification loupes, the medial saphenous vein of the thigh was dissected, isolated, and clamped proximally and distally through an approximately 8 cm skin incision. The vessel was transected and mechanically anastomosed using a 2.5 mm microvascular coupler device. Procedural steps were documented photographically. Anastomotic patency was evaluated immediately post-procedure through direct inspection and confirmation of vessel refill after clamp release. All procedures were conducted in compliance with institutional animal care guidelines.

RESULTS

All five anastomoses were completed without complications. The anatomical consistency of the porcine vascular structures allowed for reproducible dissection and coupling of the veins. Vessel size and wall characteristics closely matched those found in human flap procedures.

Immediate patency was confirmed in all cases. No device-related technical failures were observed. Surgeons reported improved confidence and dexterity with each subsequent procedure, reflecting a measurable learning curve.

DISCUSSION

The microvascular coupler device offers several advantages over conventional sutured anastomosis: reduced anastomotic time, decreased vessel manipulation, and consistently high patency rates ^4,5. However, sutured techniques allow for greater flexibility in vessel orientation, the ability to handle fragile or mismatched vessels, and are indispensable in arterial anastomoses or small-caliber veins (Figs. 1-2). Table I provides a comparison of the two techniques. Simulation training bridges the gap between theoretical learning and practical execution. The pig model, validated in studies involving the gluteal artery perforator flap ^7,8, deep inferior epigastric perforator flap ⁹, and internal mammary vessels ¹⁰, provides diverse anatomical sites for coupler application, allowing comprehensive microsurgical exposure.

In our series, repeated exposure to the coupler device within a realistic vascular environment enabled significant procedural refinement and confidence building. Moreover, the use of multiple anatomical sites within the same animal optimizes resource utilization and minimizes ethical concerns related to animal use.

CONCLUSIONS

Training with the microvascular coupler on a porcine model provides a highly realistic and effective approach to enhancing surgical proficiency in microsurgery. This model accelerates skill acquisition, shortens the learning curve, and promotes safer, more efficient clinical outcomes. Future studies with larger sample sizes and quantitative performance assessments could further validate its role in microsurgical education.

Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Funding

This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.

Author contributions

All authors contributed substantially to this work.

FT, PP: conceived the study

DM, EC, SD: drafted and revised the manuscript

DM, SD, EC: performed the experiments and analyzed the data

Ethical consideration

The animals were treated in accordance with Directive 2010/63/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council on the protection of animals used for scientific purposes (22 September 2010), as well as Italian Legislative Decree No. 26 of 4 March 2014, which establishes the regulations on the protection of animals used for scientific purposes, including experimentation and teaching.

History

Received: March 23, 2025

Accepted: September 8, 2025

Figures and tables

Figure 1. Mechanical vein anastomosis on a porcine model. A) preparation of the vessels for anastomosis with a coupler; B) coupler locking with forceps.

Figure 2. Mechanical vein anastomosis on a porcine model. A) result of venous anastomosis with coupler; B) removal of microvascular clamps.

Table I. Comparison between coupler-assisted and sutured microvascular anastomosis techniques.

Feature	Coupler-assisted anastomosis	Classical sutured anastomosis
Time efficiency	High	Moderate to low
Learning curve	Moderate	Steep
Applicability	Best for venous anastomoses	Universal
Cost	Higher (device-dependent)	Lower (suture-only)
Vessel mismatch tolerance	Limited	High
Risk of twisting	Low	Moderate