: Flap transplantation has been an important procedure in plastic and reconstructive surgery to cover and fill various defects. Flap necrosis due to blood circulation failure leads to severe complications, especially in a patient undergoing reconstruction concerning the body cavity after tumor ablation. Surgical procedures for flap transplantation have been further improved and developed. We have reviewed from the random pattern flap to the newest procedure, the perforator flap. Perforator vessels were investigated in the process of development of the fasciocutaneous flap and have become important for blood supply of the skin flap. Blood circulation of the flap has become more stable and reliable than ever with the development and findings of the perforator vessels. Further development of a skin flap will be based on the perforasome concept, which involves the study of the territory and linking of perforator vessels.

BackgroundThe free anterolateral thigh (ALT) flap has been widely used for various kinds of reconstructions. However, delayed healing at the donor site occasionally occurs due to wound dehiscence or the partial loss of grafted skin at the donor site. The aim of the present study was to identify reliable predictive factors for delayed healing at the donor site after the harvest of a free ALT flap.MethodsThis study included 52 patients who underwent reconstructive procedures using free ALT flaps. The delayed healing group included patients with wounds at the donor site that had not healed over 3 weeks after surgery, and the normal healing group included patients who showed wound healing within 3 weeks after surgery. Multivariate logistic regression models were created to identify the risk factors for delayed healing at the ALT flap donor site.ResultsAmong the 52 patients, 24 (46.2%) showed delayed healing at the donor site, and 6 patients required additional operative treatment. A high preoperative body mass index (BMI), smoking, and skin grafting were found to be significantly associated with delayed healing at the ALT donor site. Of the 37 patients who underwent skin grafting, 23 (62%) experienced delayed healing at the donor site.ConclusionsA high preoperative BMI, smoking, and skin grafting were risk factors for delayed healing at the free ALT donor site. Skin grafting at the ALT donor site should be avoided in patients with a high BMI or a habit of smoking.

Background:Measurement of transcutaneous oxygen pressure (TcPO2) and transcutaneous carbon dioxide pressure (TcPCO2) has been used for free flap monitoring. Because these values are obtained with sensor probes heated to 44°C, there is potential for low-temperature burns on skin flaps. We measured TcPO2 and TcPCO2 at 37°C in both animals and humans to determine the feasibility and safety of the procedure as a postoperative flap monitoring method.Methods:Twelve epigastric island flaps were elevated in rabbits, and TcPO2 and TcPCO2 were measured at 37°C before and after ligation of the pedicles. In addition, TcPO2 and TcPCO2 at 37°C were measured in healthy men. Subsequently, the method was applied to postoperative monitoring of free flaps in 49 clinical cases.Results:TcPO2 and TcPCO2 values were significantly affected by the experimental flap elevation. A rapid increase in TcPCO2 was observed with both arterial and venous occlusion. In the healthy men, TcPO2 and TcPCO2 were measurable at all skin surface sites. In the clinical cases of free flap transfer, TcPO2 values remained very low for at least 72 hours. TcPCO2 values ranged from 40 to 70 mm Hg for 72 hours in more than 80% of cases. In 2 cases, TcPCO2 values increased to more than 90 mm Hg, and exploration surgery was performed. These compromised flaps were saved by reanastomosis of the veins.Conclusions:Continuous monitoring of TcPCO2 at 37°C can provide objective information and alert doctors and nurses to the need for checking the free flap.