Noninvasive Flap Monitoring using Sidestream Dark Field Microscan: A Method for Real-Time Observation of Submilimmetric Vessels

A timely diagnosis of vascular compromise improves free flap survival. The aim of this study was to determine the feasibility of monitoring flap vascular patency through noninvasive microcirculation monitoring using SDF.

An experimental study was performed in five volunteers. A radial forearm flap was simulated in both upper extremities and cutaneous microcirculation assessment devices were used (SDF and NIRS), and compared with clinical and doppler evaluation.

Conditions of venous occlusion (VO) and total vascular occlusion (TVO) were mimicked by using a cuff. The results of the Microscan SDF monitoring during VO and TVO showed a reduced microcirculatory flow at 16.5 (6-30) and 6 (2-11) seconds respectively.

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Elimination of Environmental Effects on Temperature Assessment in Clinical Postoperative Free Flap Monitoring? A Prospective Cohort Study

The time interval between the onset of ischemia and its clinical recognition is of utmost importance in terms of free flap salvage in free flap surgery.

Although microsurgical free-tissue transfer has become a reliable technique, between 5 to 25 percent of transferred flaps require surgical revision because of circulatory compromise either on the arterial or venous side.

Regardless of the surgeon’s experience or the reliability of the chosen free flap, immediate detection of perfusion failure and prompt revision is paramount for flap salvage as ischemic tolerance of the flap tissue is limited to a few hours and irreversible disseminated microvascular thrombi may form during malperfusion.

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Noninvasive Flap Monitoring using Sidestream Dark Field Microscan: A Method for Real-Time Observation of Submilimmetric Vessels

A timely diagnosis of vascular compromise improves free flap survival. The aim of this study was to determine the feasibility of monitoring flap vascular patency through noninvasive microcirculation monitoring using SDF.

An experimental study was performed in five volunteers. A radial forearm flap was simulated in both upper extremities and cutaneous microcirculation assessment devices were used (SDF and NIRS), and compared with clinical and doppler evaluation.

Conditions of venous occlusion (VO) and total vascular occlusion (TVO) were mimicked by using a cuff. The results of the Microscan SDF monitoring during VO and TVO showed a reduced microcirculatory flow at 16.5 (6-30) and 6 (2-11) seconds respectively.

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