Summary
Early detection and rapid re-exploration are important for flap salvage, and for this,
a reliable monitoring method is required. The purpose of the current study was to
evaluate blood glucose measurement (BGM) for flap monitoring and to establish a simple
method that can be used widely to decrease the flap loss rate after tissue transplantation.
We noted the BGM in 33 free or pedicled tissue transfers (57 BGM points) over time
postoperatively. Skin punctures and blood glucose measurements were made using a Medisafe-finetouch
needle and Medisafe-Mini (Terumo, Japan), which are commonly used by diabetic patients.
Partial necrosis of the vascular territory was found at 5 points (9%), and blood flow
disorder due to a venous thrombus was found at 5 points (9%). The mean blood glucose
level in the congestive flaps was significantly lower than that in healthy flaps.
ROC curve analysis was used to determine a cutoff value for BGM of 62 mg/dL, at which
the sensitivity and specificity were 88% and 82%, respectively (p < 0.0001). In conclusion, BGM is an easy and accessible adjunct to flap monitoring,
and the combination of BGM and previously established methods is likely to reduce
postoperative complications caused by the development of a venous thrombus after free
tissue transplantation.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: December 09, 2011
Accepted:
November 10,
2011
Received:
April 10,
2011
Footnotes
☆This paper has been presented at: The 6th Congress of the World Society for Reconstructive Microsurgery.
Identification
Copyright
© 2011 British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
