title: External doppler monitoring of free flaps through negative pressure dressings.
abstract: The negative pressure dressing is a highly effective modality for coverage and bolstering of skin grafts in the early postoperative period. In the situation of a skin graft over a free flap, the surgeon might be inclined to avoid this modality out of concern that the dressing would deleteriously effect flap survival or impede flap monitoring. This case series supports the safety of the negative pressure dressing and demonstrates a technical modification that permits external Doppler monitoring of the flap through the dressing. Thus, this technique provides an ideal environment for skin graft healing while maintaining the ability to monitor the flap in a straightforward manner and also simplifies nursing care.
authors.affiliation: Seton Institute of Reconstructive Plastic Surgery, Pediatric Surgical Subspecialists, University Medical Center Brackenridge, Dell Children's Medical Center of Central Texas, Austin, Texas, USA. slhenry@seton.org
authors.forename: Steven L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Henry
authors.forename: Adam B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Weinfeld
authors.forename: Sanjay K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Sharma
authors.forename: Patrick K
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Kelley
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D058752:Free Tissue Flaps / Q000098:blood supply*; D006084:Graft Rejection; D006085:Graft Survival; D006801:Humans; D015601:Injury Severity Score; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D054843:Negative-Pressure Wound Therapy; D011182:Postoperative Care / Q000379:methods; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012494:Sampling Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D018608:Ultrasonography, Doppler / Q000379:methods*; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000502:physiology; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D055815:Young Adult