Routine monitoring in patients with free tissue transfer by laser-Doppler flowmetry

The use of laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF) was tested in 108 consecutive patients, who underwent free tissue transfer at our institution between December, 1988, and June, 1990. Sixteen patients (14.8%) suffered vascular complications, which could be detected in all cases earlier by LDF than by clinical examination alone. LDF therefore prompted faster surgical intervention in these cases, allowing flap salvation in 9.3% (n = 10). Difficulties had to be noted in diagnosing venous thrombosis by means of the LDF due to sometimes unspecific alterations in LDF signals. Technical improvement of LDF might lead to a higher diagnostic accuracy if venous thrombosis occurs.