Intracapillary haemoglobin oxygenation and interstitial pO2 in venous flaps: An experimental study in rats

Abstract

In order to be able to objectively evaluate capillary perfusion of venous flaps, we created arterialised venous flaps, venous flow-through flaps, and unilateral pedicled venous island flaps in the epigastric vascular system of Wistar rats and determined their oxygen supply with two different methods. Interstitial pO2 was polarographically measured with a probe placed intracutaneously in the center of the 4 x 2.5 cm flaps and continuously recorded on a connected computer. Moreover, we also noninvasively determined the oxygenation of the intracapillary haemoglobin with a micro-lightguide spectrophotometer. The statistical evaluation showed comparable results for both measurement methods: Arterialised venous flaps had a better oxygen supply with a pO2 of 16 mmHg and an Hb oxygenation of 23% than the other types of venous flaps, but they have a poorer oxygen supply than conventionally perfused flaps (pO2: 24 mmHg, Hb oxygenation: 30%). Venous flow-through flaps (pO2: 9 mmHg, Hb oxygenation: 17%) and unilateral pedicled venous island flaps had a significant better oxygen supply than skin flaps without any vascular connection. The results show that the capillary system in all types of venous flaps is reached by some of the inflowing oxygenated haemoglobin over the entire flap surface to different degrees.

Evaluation of a non‐invasive monitoring method for free flap breast reconstruction using laser doppler flowmetrie and tissue spectrophotometry

“…The used method in this study (Oxygen to See, O2C, Lea Medizintechnik, Germany) combines lightguide tissue spectrophotometry and laser Doppler flowmetry. Both methods were used separately in a large number of human, and animal studies . The O2C device allows measurements of blood flow (flow) and blood velocity using Doppler flowmetry.…”

“…Both methods were used separately in a large number of human, [4][5][6][7][8][9][10] and animal studies. [11][12][13][14][15] The O2C device allows measurements of blood flow (flow) and blood velocity using Doppler flowmetry. Furthermore, the use of tissue spectrophotometry allows accurate measurements of hemoglobin oxygenation (SO 2 ) and the relative amount of hemoglobin (rHB).…”

Assessment of Tissue Perfusion Following Conventional Liposuction of Perforator-Based Abdominal Flaps

“…Using this device, the oxygen supply to the microcirculation of blood-perfused tissues can be determined. The O2C system presents more precise data on local oxygen supply compared with measurement of tissue partial oxygen pressure, which remains constant during changes in capillary blood flow rate or oxygen consumption [20]. Flow was demonstrated to be a better predictor of tissue perfusion while rHb and SO 2 failed to predict tissue necrosis [21].…”

Thermoregulatory response of anterolateral thigh flap compared with latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap: An evaluation of flaps cutaneous flow and velocity due to thermal stress

“…Furthermore, the O2C device provides data on intracapillar hemoglobin oxygenation related to the intracapillar hemoglobin saturation and local blood flow rate. Therefore, O2C is a suitable and easy method for the noninvasive and simultaneous monitoring of tissue oxygenation and blood flow 21…”