External doppler monitoring of free flaps through negative pressure dressings

• Published in: Journal of reconstructive microsurgery Vol. 27; no. 4; p. 215
• Main Authors: Henry, Steven L, Weinfeld, Adam B, Sharma, Sanjay K, Kelley, Patrick K
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.05.2011
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Child; Child, Preschool; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Free Tissue Flaps - blood supply; Graft Rejection; Graft Survival; Humans; Injury Severity Score; Male; Middle Aged; Monitoring, Physiologic - instrumentation; Monitoring, Physiologic - methods; Negative-Pressure Wound Therapy; Postoperative Care - methods; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures - adverse effects; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures - methods; Retrospective Studies; Sampling Studies; Time Factors; Ultrasonography, Doppler - methods; Wound Healing - physiology; Wounds and Injuries - diagnosis; Wounds and Injuries - surgery; Young Adult
• DOI: 10.1055/s-0031-1272962

The negative pressure dressing is a highly effective modality for coverage and bolstering of skin grafts in the early postoperative period. In the situation of a skin graft over a free flap, the surgeon might be inclined to avoid this modality out of concern that the dressing would deleteriously effect flap survival or impede flap monitoring. This case series supports the safety of the negative pressure dressing and demonstrates a technical modification that permits external Doppler monitoring of the flap through the dressing. Thus, this technique provides an ideal environment for skin graft healing while maintaining the ability to monitor the flap in a straightforward manner and also simplifies nursing care.