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Blood flow measurements in skin flaps
Archives of Otolaryngology (Chicago, Ill. : 1960)
|June 1, 1975
Summary
This study challenges traditional skin flap design by measuring blood flow. Results show cutaneous blood flow in abdominal skin flaps is independent of base width, regardless of length to width ratios.
Area of Science:
- Plastic Surgery
- Microsurgery
- Vascular Biology
Background:
- The empirical approach of set length to width ratios for skin flaps has been standard for 50 years.
- Milton's work in 1971 first challenged this long-held concept.
- Quantitative measurement of skin blood flow in flaps has been lacking.
Purpose of the Study:
- To challenge the traditional empirical approach to skin flap design.
- To quantitatively measure skin blood flow in abdominal skin flaps.
- To determine the relationship between flap dimensions and blood flow.
Main Methods:
- Utilized four radioactive nuclide microspheres for precise, reproducible blood flow measurements.
- Measured blood flow changes in abdominal skin flaps of varying length to width ratios in dogs.
- Assessed blood flow immediately after flap outlining and elevation.
Main Results:
- Cutaneous blood flow in ventrally based, abdominal skin flaps was measured.
- Blood flow was found to be independent of base width.
- Flap length to width ratios did not correlate with immediate post-operative blood flow.
Conclusions:
- The study's findings challenge the established empirical approach to skin flap design.
- Immediate cutaneous blood flow in these specific flaps is not dependent on base width.
- Further research may be needed to explore long-term viability and other factors influencing flap success.