title: Free flap monitoring protocol.
abstract: In microsurgery, the successful salvage of free tissue transfer is dependent on the rapid decision to return to the operating room. Therefore, a free flap monitoring protocol is presented, including checking color, temperature, capillary return, and signal from a handheld Doppler ultrasonograph in an intraoperatively marked skin area directly over the pedicle.
authors.affiliation: Department of Craniomaxillofacial and Oral Surgery, University of Zurich, CH-8091 Zurich, Switzerland. astrid.kruse@usz.ch
authors.forename: Astrid L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Kruse
authors.forename: Heinz T
authors.initials: HT
authors.lastname: Luebbers
authors.forename: Klaus W
authors.initials: KW
authors.lastname: Grätz
authors.forename: Joachim A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Obwegeser
mesh_terms: D002985:Clinical Protocols; D006801:Humans; D008866:Microsurgery; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic / Q000379:methods*; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000098:blood supply*; D018608:Ultrasonography, Doppler / Q000295:instrumentation*