Monitoring techniques for the detection of flow failure in the postoperative period.
Free tissue transfer is now a commonly used reconstructive tool. Vascular compromise is still a common complication and salvage rates of compromised flaps have been in the region of 50%. Numerous monitoring techniques have been tried but there is yet no single technique which has enjoyed universal acceptance. This paper reviews the available techniques and indicates where current trends are leading.
Neligan
P C
PC
Division of Plastic Surgery, Wellesley Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
D006801:Humans; D008866:Microsurgery / Q000009:adverse effects; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D011182:Postoperative Care; D012039:Regional Blood Flow / Q000502:physiology; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000502:physiology*; D014656:Vascular Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects