Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 13, 2026
07:57
An Experimental Human DIEP Flap Model to Investigate Preservation Strategies for Vascularized Composite Allografts and Free Flaps
Published on: December 5, 2025
Reliability of handheld Doppler in planning local perforator-based flaps for extremities
1Belvedere Private Hospital, Knee Hill Abbeywood, SE2 0GD London, UK. Mrumarkhan@aol.com
Aesthetic Plastic Surgery
|July 31, 2007
Summary
Handheld Doppler ultrasound reliably identifies skin perforators for extremity soft tissue reconstruction. However, accuracy decreases with smaller vessel diameters, leading to higher false-positive rates.
Area of Science:
- Plastic Surgery
- Microsurgery
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Perforator-based flaps are crucial for extremity soft tissue reconstruction.
- Handheld Doppler ultrasound is commonly used to identify perforators for flap design.
- Assessing the reliability of handheld Doppler for perforator identification is essential.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the sensitivity and positive predictive values of handheld Doppler ultrasound in identifying skin perforators.
- To determine the reliability of handheld Doppler for planning flap design in extremity reconstruction.
Main Methods:
- A prospective study involving 14 volunteers was conducted on upper and lower extremities.
- A handheld Doppler (8- and 10-MHz probes) was used for initial perforator identification.
- Color duplex ultrasound (7- and 10-MHz probes) served as a reference standard.
Main Results:
- Across 94 identified perforators, the handheld Doppler showed variable accuracy.
- On legs, 49 marked perforators yielded 40 correct, 3 false-positive, and 6 false-negative results.
- Handheld Doppler demonstrated a size-dependent reliability, with smaller vessels exhibiting higher false-positive rates.
Conclusions:
- Handheld Doppler ultrasound is a practical tool for identifying skin perforators for flap design in extremity reconstruction.
- Its reliability is contingent on vessel size, with smaller perforators posing a challenge due to increased false positives.
- Careful patient selection and consideration of Doppler limitations are advised for optimal flap planning.
Related Concept Videos
01:19Assessing Blood pressure using a doppler ultrasound
To obtain accurate blood pressure measurements in clinical settings, especially when traditional methods are insufficient, healthcare professionals utilize the Doppler ultrasound technique. This method uses high-frequency sound waves to detect blood flow within the arteries, which is crucial for patients with conditions that complicate circulatory system assessment.
Pre-Procedural Guidelines for Doppler Ultrasound Blood Pressure Assessment:
Preparation of Equipment:
Pre-Procedural Guidelines for Doppler Ultrasound Blood Pressure Assessment:
Preparation of Equipment:
01:30Equipments Used To Measure Blood Pressure
Direct Method
This invasive approach involves cannulating a peripheral artery. During each cardiac contraction, pressure generates mechanical motion within the catheter, transmitted through rigid, fluid-filled tubing to a transducer. This transducer converts mechanical motion into electrical signals displayed as waveforms on a monitor. An automatic flushing system prevents blood backflow. Due to the potential risk of unexpected arterial blood loss, this method is primarily used in intensive...
This invasive approach involves cannulating a peripheral artery. During each cardiac contraction, pressure generates mechanical motion within the catheter, transmitted through rigid, fluid-filled tubing to a transducer. This transducer converts mechanical motion into electrical signals displayed as waveforms on a monitor. An automatic flushing system prevents blood backflow. Due to the potential risk of unexpected arterial blood loss, this method is primarily used in intensive...