Monitoring Vascular Compromise Using Ultrasound After Free Tissue Transfer

To report the clinical utility of high-resolution ultrasound (US) for monitoring vascular compromise after free tissue transfer.

Fifty-two tissue transfers in the extremities were included in this study. Blood flow around the anastomotic pedicle and subcutaneous tissue of the grafted flap was monitored with pulsed color and power Doppler US whenever the conventional monitoring method, comprising the bedside assessment of the temperature, capillary refill, and flap color, showed abnormalities until 1 week after reconstruction.

All flaps were indicated for US monitoring, with 44 flaps showing Doppler signals in each position, even though conventional flap monitoring showed an abnormality. Forty of the 44 flaps showed no flap failure, whereas the remaining 4 flaps developed partial necrosis. Abnormal US findings were noted in 8 of the 52 flaps. Ultrasound revealed interruption of venous blood flow around the anastomotic pedicle in 6 of 8 flaps. Emergent exploration revealed venous occlusion at the anastomotic pedicle, similar to the US finding. In 2 of the 8 flaps, US showed no blood flow to either the anastomotic pedicle or subcutaneous tissue. Emergent exploration revealed arterial occlusion at the anastomotic pedicle. Seven of the 8 reexplored flaps were salvaged after revision surgery with complete flap survival. Partial flap survival was noted in 1 case, but complete flap failure was avoided.

Ultrasound is a useful adjunct that enables a direct assessment of perfusion in grafted tissues, which may reduce unnecessary exploration when conventional flap monitoring shows an abnormality.