Evaluating Blood Flow in Free Flaps with Laser Speckle Flowgraphy
Author Information
Author(s): Toshiaki Furuta, Michihiko Sone, Yasushi Fujimoto, Shunjiro Yagi, Makoto Sugiura, Yuzuru Kamei, Hitoshi Fujii, Tsutomu Nakashima
Primary Institution: Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine
Hypothesis
We investigated the efficiency of laser speckle flowgraphy for evaluating blood flow in free flaps used for plastic surgery.
Conclusion
Laser speckle flowgraphy is useful for the perioperative measurement of blood flow in free flaps used in plastic surgery.
Supporting Evidence
- Musculocutaneous flaps showed significantly lower blood flow than jejunal or omental flaps.
- The ratio of blood flow decrease from the edge to the center was significantly greater in MC flaps than in jejunal or omental flaps.
Takeaway
This study shows that a special camera can help doctors see how well blood is flowing in skin flaps used in surgery, which helps them know if the flap is healthy.
Methodology
Blood flow was measured using a visual laser meter that provides two-dimensional color graphic representations of flow distribution in 20 free flaps after head and neck tumor excision.
Limitations
The study did not include patients with anticoagulation treatments.
Participant Demographics
20 patients (13 men and 7 women; mean age 60.7 years) with head and neck tumors.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.001
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Want to read the original?
Access the complete publication on the publisher's website