[Blood supply control in pedicled skin flaps with transcutaneous PO2 measurement]

The method of transcutaneous PO2 measurement is suitable to record the differing oxygen supply, and thereby the blood supply of direct skin flaps. The increasing blood supply in the base as well as in the peripheral part of the flap up to the tenth postoperative day is characterized by increasing PO2 values. In clinical use the method is suitable for controlling of pedicle flaps, particularly with regard to the determination of the optimal time for division of the pedicle. In axial pattern flaps the production of ischemia by regular occlusion of the pedicle seems to accelerate vascularization from the bed of the transplant.