Monitoring skin flaps by colour measurement

A technique based on reflection spectrophotometry has been tested for use as a monitor of the cutaneous circulation in experimental skin flaps. A very rapid indication was given of either arterial or venous insufficiency in a previously healthy flap. Post-operative monitoring produced characteristic traces for successful and unsuccessful free flaps. The ability of this method to discriminate between a satisfactory flap, an arterial failure, and a venous failure was highly significant (P less than 0.001).