Circumferential skin blood flow measurements in the ischaemic limb

Skin blood flow (SBF) values were estimated on the posterior, medial and lateral aspects of the lower leg in 47 patients presenting for assessment of amputation level. Measurement was made using a radioisotope (iodoantipyrine) clearance technique. Medial SBF was 9.0 +/- 5.2 ml 100 g-1 min-1; posterior SBF was 8.3 +/- 5.0 ml 100 g-1 min-1 and lateral SBF was 6.5 +/- 4.1 ml 100 g-1 min-1. The results gave significantly higher SBFs on the medial and posterior aspects of the ischaemic leg. The finding of an uneven distribution of blood flow at the below knee amputation level has important implications in the planning of amputation flaps.