A pair of five-day flaps: early division of distant pedicles after serial cross-clamping and observation with oximetry and fluorometry.
In each of 2 recent patients with distant pedicles (one a groin flap and the other a cross-leg flap), we were able to perform the final division and detachment of the flap on the fifth postoperative day. Cross-clamping was used to create intermittent periods of ischemia. The periods of ischemia were progressively increased until the time of division. Fluorometry with intravenous fluorescein played a role in deciding when to divide the flap. The patients were discharged from the hospital on the sixth and seventh days, respectively. Trimming was done on an outpatient basis.
D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D005470:Fluorometry; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010092:Oximetry; D013518:Surgery, Plastic; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D014948:Wounds, Gunshot / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*