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J Reconstr Microsurg 1990; 6(4): 345-351
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-1006840
ORIGINAL ARTICLE

© 1990 by Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc.

Evaluation of the Microcirculation in a Sheep Island Pedicle Flap with Laser Doppler Flowmeter And 99m-Tc-Labelled Red Blood Cells

Andrej Banic, Kypros Kouris, David H. Lewis
  • Departments of Surgery and Nuclear Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Kuwait University, and the Clinical Research Center, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Linköping, Sweden
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Publication History

Accepted for publication 1990

Publication Date:
08 March 2008 (online)

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ABSTRACT

The aim of the study was experimentally to evaluate the capability and reliability of laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF) in conditions of circulatory deficiency, by correlating it to flow-related parameters measured by a radionuclide-imaging technique and using “mTc red blood cells (RBCs). For this purpose, a pedicle island flap in the sheep was used, with well-perfused proximal parts and with evident stasis in the distal third of the flap.

No correlation was found between results obtained with the two techniques. In regions with evident stasis, falsely high LDF readings were recorded. This may be due to a back-and-forth motion of the RBCs under the probe, rather than to true flow. It was concluded that, while LDF seems reliable in detecting complete arterial occlusion, it is unreliable in predicting either complete venous occlusion or partial obstruction of the flow to and from the flap. Clinical use for this purpose cannot be recommended.