Color doppler ultrasonography is a reliable predictor of free tissue transfer outcomes in head and neck reconstruction.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of our investigation was to report our experience with a color flow doppler (CFD) ultrasonography for postoperative monitoring of free tissue transfers.


METHODS
A retrospective analysis of head and neck free tissue transfers at a single institution between 2000 and 2005 (n = 84; 80 successful, 4 failures). CFD measured blood flow velocity (cm/sec) and resistance to flow in the pedicle vein and artery on postoperative days 1, 3, and 7.


RESULTS
Analysis of artery/vein ratio revealed vascular congestion by postoperative day 3 which later resolved. In flap failures, there was a significant reduction (P < 0.05) in venous blood flow by postoperative day 3. Waveform morphology representing vascular resistance and origin of donor flap did not correlate with flap outcome (r(2) = 0.23 and 0.44 respectively).


CONCLUSIONS
Postoperative monitoring of free tissue transfers may allow for detection of poor perfusion. CFD is an objective method of studying blood flow postoperatively.


METHODS
C-4.
Division of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Surgery, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, USA.
Ayesha N
AN
Khalid
Sadeq A
SA
Quraishi
William A
WA
Zang
Johnathan L
JL
Chadwick
Brendan C
BC
Stack
D001783:Blood Flow Velocity / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011184:Postoperative Period; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000098:blood supply*; D018615:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color