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Techniques of postoperative blood flow monitoring after free tissue transfer: An overview
Author(s) -
Machens HansGuenther,
Mailaender Peter,
Rieck Bernd,
Berger Alfred
Publication year - 1994
Publication title -
microsurgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.031
H-Index - 63
eISSN - 1098-2752
pISSN - 0738-1085
DOI - 10.1002/micr.1920151107
Subject(s) - medicine , microsurgery , anastomosis , free flap , blood flow , surgery , thrombosis , radiology
Ever since free tissue transfer has been established in microsurgery, success rates have greatly improved over the years, partly due to improved technical performance of microvascular anastomoses with better optical and instrumental aids. However, flap failure still occurs in 5–10%, mainly due to blood vessel thrombosis within the first 24 postoperative hours. Salvation rates of failing free tissue transfers can be optimized by in‐time diagnosis of irreversibly compromised tissue blood flow and immediate operative reexploration. Therefore, there is a special demand for adequate and reliable postoperative monitoring techniques. This article gives an overview of all monitoring techniques, which have been performed both in the experimental and clinical setting thus far. © 1994 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.