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J Reconstr Microsurg 2008; 24(6): 391-396
DOI: 10.1055/s-0028-1082028
© Thieme Medical Publishers

Evaluation of Tissue Oxygen Measurements for Flap Monitoring in an Animal Model

Christian Bonde1 , Niels-Henrik Holstein-Rathlou2 , Jens Elberg1
  • 1Department of Plastic Surgery and Treatment of Burns, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
  • 2Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Publication History

Publication Date:
01 August 2008 (online)

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ABSTRACT

Tissue oxygen tension (ptiO2) measurements are common in neurosurgery but uncommon in plastic surgery. We examined this technique as a monitoring method with probe placement in the subcutaneous tissue and addressed the importance of probe placement. Myocutaneous flaps were raised in an animal model and ptiO2 measurements performed at different levels in the subcutaneous fat. Flap artery and vein were occluded until a 50% ptiO2 reduction had occurred (T1/2). We found no significant effect of depth (p > 0.10) on the level of ptiO2. T1/2 arterial was 7.2 minutes and T1/2 venous was 18 minutes. We found no significant relation between intitial levels of ptiO2 and T1/2. Location of the probe and absolute ptiO2 value is of little relevance for flap monitoring. It is the relative change in ptiO2 that is important. The ptiO2 technique is well suited for monitoring in the subcutaneous tissue and is highly sensitive to changes in both arterial and venous blood flow.

KEYWORDS

Tissue oxygen tension - perfusion monitoring - blood flow

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Christian BondeM.D. Ph.D. 

Department of Plastic Surgery and Treatment of Burns, Copenhagen University Hospital

Blegdamsvej 9, Copenhagen 2100, Denmark

Email: ctbonde@gmail.com

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