Applications

Flap Monitoring (Post-Op)

Tissue blood flow measurements of flaps and replanted tissues provided by laser Doppler could be used to provide an early indication of flap failure before clinical signs are apparent. Both surface and buried flaps can be monitored. The alarm level can be set manually and are set relative to baseline flow rather than for ‘normal’ values because of natural spatial variations in flow. Signs of a healthy flap are a pulsatile LD blood flow waveform due to the cardiac cycle and a stable or steadily increasing trend. Fluctuations in LD blood flow are also good signs. These are due to vasomotion and physiological responses. Signs of a failing flap include lack of pulsatility, a falling trend and lack of fluctuations. Please note: these products are not for use as a diagnostic tool and should only be used in a research environment with appropriate local approvals.

Equipment Recommendations

The moorVMS-RESEARCH software package enables monitoring from moorVMS-LDF and moorVMS-OXY monitors. Probes are available for surface (VP1T or VP1T/7 probes) flaps and under bandage use (VP8c or VP-SPP). The main advantage of monitoring compared to imaging is the continuous nature of the monitoring. Research into use of imaging (moorFLPI-2) is on going with the advantage of a spatial assessment of flow over the entire exposed flap.

moorVMS-PC Software
SOFTWARE-VMS-RESEARCH-4VX

Advanced aquisition and analyses functions to collect signals and automate control protocol modules

moorVMS-PC | Windows Software
Laser Speckle Contrast Imager
moorFLPI-2

Full-field, video frame rate blood flow imaging

Laser Speckle Imager | moorFLPI-2

What Next?

Contact us to discuss your specific needs and to request your copy of our free Application Note which includes a detailed experimental method and practical suggestions. We also offer no obligation on-site visits so you can test the equipment in your facility.

References

Dorai, A. 2006.
Laser doppler monitoring of free flaps in reconstructive microsurgery.
Malays J Med Sci. 2006 January;, (13(1)), pp.79–96.

Figus , A., Mosahebi , A., and Ramakrishnan , V., 2006.
Microcirculation in DIEP flaps: a study of the haemodynamics using laser Doppler flowmetry and lightguide reflectance spectrophotometry.
Journal of plastic, reconstructive & aesthetic surgery: JPRAS, 59(6), pp.604–12; discussion 613.
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