Preliminary assessment of laser Doppler flowmetry for determining timing of division of the cross-finger flap.
The elapsed time before division of the cross-finger flap depends on adequate neovascularization from the recipient digit. Although subjective assessment of capillary filling in the flap after application of a tourniquet to the donor finger usually is accurate, on occasion, interpretation of observations may be equivocal. In these circumstances, noninvasive office measurement with use of the laser Doppler permits a sequential determination of relative flap perfusion. This objective data facilitates an appropriate clinical decision by the hand surgeon to ensure flap viability after pedicle division.
Hallock
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Dorothy Rider Pool Microsurgery and Laser Laboratory, Lehigh Valley Hospital Center, Allentown, Pa.
D005385:Fingers / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007834:Lasers; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000502:physiology*; D013997:Time Factors