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Updated: Jul 11, 2025
A Model of Free Tissue Transfer: The Rat Epigastric Free Flap
Published on: January 15, 2017
Comparative Study of Small Vessel (under 0.8 mm) Anastomosed Free Flap and Larger Vessel (over 0.8 mm) Anastomosed
Hyung Bae Kim1, Joon Pio Jp Hong1, Hyunsuk Peter Suh1
1Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
Background:
This study aimed to quantify the blood flow of free flaps and compare the blood flow of small vessel (<0.8 mm) and larger vessel (>0.8 mm) anastomosed free flaps.
Methods:
This retrospective study included patients treated successfully with a perforator free flap in the lower extremity between June 2015 and March 2017. A color duplex ultrasound system measured the flow volume through the pedicle by analyzing the mean flow peak velocity, flow volume, and flow volume per 100 g of the flap.
Results:
A total of 69 patients were enrolled in this study. There was no statistical difference in peak velocity between the small vessel anastomosed free flap (25.2 ± 5.6) and larger vessel anastomosed free flap (26.5 ± 5.4). Flow volume (6.8 ± 4.2 vs. 6.3 ± 3.6) and flow volume/100 g (3.6 ± 3.9 vs. 6.2 ± 6.9) also did not show significant differences.
Conclusion:
Small vessel (<0.8 mm) free flaps showed similar flow velocity and flow volume to larger vessel (>0.8 mm) anastomosed free flaps. Blood flow to the small vessel anastomosed free flap was sufficient despite its small vessel size.
