Adjunctive use of laser Doppler flowmetry for debridement of osteomyelitis

Laser Doppler flowmetry was used intraoperatively to differentiate viable from nonviable bone during the debridement of 12 cases of chronic osteomyelitis and three cases of acute bone infection following trauma. Six weeks of i.v. antibiotic therapy were directed against two cases of gram-positive and 13 cases of gram-negative bone infection. In cases of chronic infection, free muscle flaps were added for soft tissue coverage in five cases and rotational muscle flaps in four cases. At follow-up observation, of 1 to 3 years, no recurrences were seen. Laser Doppler flowmetry is an easy-to-use adjunct to the surgical debridement of bone infection.