Cutaneous blood flow in the free TRAM flap

• Published in: British journal of plastic surgery Vol. 46; no. 8; pp. 665 - 669
• Main Authors: Tuominen, Hanna P., Asko-Seljavaara, Sirpa, Svartling, Nils E.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 01.12.1993; Elsevier
• Subjects: Adult; Anastomosis, Surgical; Biological and medical sciences; Blood Gas Monitoring, Transcutaneous; Female; Humans; Laser-Doppler Flowmetry; Mammaplasty - methods; Medical sciences; Microsurgery; Middle Aged; Oxygen - blood; Regional Blood Flow - physiology; Skin - blood supply; Skin plastic surgery; Surgery (general aspects). Transplantations, organ and tissue grafts. Graft diseases; Surgical Flaps - physiology; Human; Laser dopplerometry; Pedicle flap; Free flap; Plastic surgery; Technique; Flowmetry; Blood flow; Result
• ISSN: 0007-1226; 1465-3087
• DOI: 10.1016/0007-1226(93)90196-I

According to clinical studies there are fewer circulatory complications with the free TRAM flap than with the pedicled TRAM flap. In this haemodynamic study, we measured perioperative cutaneous blood flow in 11 free TRAM flaps with laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF) and transcutaneous oxygen tension (ptcO 2). We also studied 4 pedicled TRAM flaps with an additional microvascular anastomosis. Our results suggest that skin blood flow in the free TRAM flap is superior compared to our previously presented results of the pedicled TRAM flaps, and also superior to pedicled TRAM flaps with additional microvascular anastomoses of the inferior epigastric vessels to “supercharge” them.