Laser Doppler imaging of axial and random pattern flaps in the maxillo-facial area. A preliminary report.
Objective, non-invasive examination, techniques in addition to clinical parameters, are required to follow-up the wound healing of flaps. With the new laser Doppler Scanner (LDI DIM 1.0 Lisca Development AB, Sweden) it is possible, for the first time, to measure and image the microcirculation continuously, non-invasively and without contact with the wound, in an area of 12 cm square maximum. We performed measurements and simultaneous two-dimensional imaging of the microcirculation 24, 48, 72 h and 5 and 14 days postoperatively in 20 patients, who had had reconstruction procedures performed using random or axial pattern flaps. The perfusion diagrams were correlated to the clinical appearance. Necrotic areas, venous stasis and normal course of wound healing can be clearly visualized and differentiated from one another. The new laser Doppler imaging system seems to be an excellent aid for following up and planning of flaps in plastic and reconstructive surgery.
Eichhorn
W
W
Department Maxillofacial Surgery, Evangelisches Krankenhaus Hattingen, Germany.
Auer
T
T
Voy
E D
ED
Hoffmann
K
K
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005145:Face / Q000098:blood supply / Q000601:surgery*; D005153:Facial Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D018327:Hutchinson's Melanotic Freckle / Q000601:surgery; D007568:Jaw / Q000098:blood supply; D017078:Laser-Doppler Flowmetry / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D008833:Microcirculation / Q000502:physiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D056948:Orthognathic Surgical Procedures; D012039:Regional Blood Flow / Q000502:physiology; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000379:methods / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology*; D014945:Wound Healing