Viability and quantitative dermofluorometry of experimental arterialised and non-arterialised venous flaps

In an attempt to predict venous flap viability, uptake and excretion of fluorescein dye injected intravenously was followed quantitatively at 10 min intervals on flaps on the surface of rabbit ears, with the use of a fiberoptic dermofluorometer. This instrument is a reliable indicator of circulation in non-arterialised or arterialised venous flaps, as it is in conventional flaps. This work shows that arterialised venous flaps are more reliable and have a larger skin territory than non-arterialised ones. Survival of the arterialised venous flap can be attributed primarily to the blood circulation, while the non-arterialised venous flap relies for its survival on both blood circulation and plasmatic inhibition from the bed as well.