Background: Pedicled perforator flaps can present postoperative complications similar to those encountered in free flap surgery. Beyond a clinical evaluation, there is still no reliable technical aid for the early prediction of vascular issues. The aim of this study was to assess the support of near-infrared spectroscopy technology as an intraoperative tool to anticipate postsurgical flap ischemia. Methods: We prospectively enrolled 13 consecutive patients who were referred to our hospital from March 2017 to July 2018 and required a reconstructive procedure with a pedicled fasciocutaneous perforator flap. We measured flap peripheral capillary oxygen saturation (SpO2) in each patient with a Somanetics INVOS 5100C Cerebral/Somatic Oximeter (Medtronic), both before and after transposition. Patient demographics, operative data, and complications were then recorded during the following 6 months. We analyzed the data using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test and linear regression. Results: The mean flap SpO2 before and after transposition was 92%±3% and 78%±19%, respectively. The mean change in SpO2 was 14%±17%, with a range of 0% to 55%. The change in saturation and mean saturation ratio were significantly different between patients with and without postoperative flap necrosis. Conclusions An immediate quantitative analysis of flap peripheral capillary SpO2 after transposition has never before been described. In our experience, an intraoperative drop in SpO2 equal to or greater than 15%–20% predicted vascular complications in pedicled perforator flaps. Conversely, flap size and rotation angle were not correlated with the risk of flap necrosis.

Background: Pedicled perforator flaps can present postoperative complications similar to those encountered in free flap surgery. Beyond a clinical evaluation, there is still no reliable technical aid for the early prediction of vascular issues. The aim of this study was to assess the support of near-infrared spectroscopy technology as an intraoperative tool to anticipate postsurgical flap ischemia. Methods: We prospectively enrolled 13 consecutive patients who were referred to our hospital from March 2017 to July 2018 and required a reconstructive procedure with a pedicled fasciocutaneous perforator flap. We measured flap peripheral capillary oxygen saturation (SpO2) in each patient with a Somanetics INVOS 5100C Cerebral/Somatic Oximeter (Medtronic), both before and after transposition. Patient demographics, operative data, and complications were then recorded during the following 6 months. We analyzed the data using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test and linear regression. Results: The mean flap SpO2 before and after transposition was 92%±3% and 78%±19%, respectively. The mean change in SpO2 was 14%±17%, with a range of 0% to 55%. The change in saturation and mean saturation ratio were significantly different between patients with and without postoperative flap necrosis. Conclusions An immediate quantitative analysis of flap peripheral capillary SpO2 after transposition has never before been described. In our experience, an intraoperative drop in SpO2 equal to or greater than 15%–20% predicted vascular complications in pedicled perforator flaps. Conversely, flap size and rotation angle were not correlated with the risk of flap necrosis.

Background: Perforator mapping has been well described in the literature. Once the suprafascial plane is reached, the course of perforators is considered constant. However, the surgeon must be aware of whether an anastomosis exists between perforators superficially to the fascia, in order to choose the best vessel upon which to base the reconstruction. Our retrospective in vivo anatomical study of lower leg perforator flaps presents the first description of variations in the suprafascial path of perforators, which may influence preoperative flap design. Methods: An anatomical study of lower limb perforators was performed on 46 nonconsecutive patients who were referred to our department from June 2012 to October 2018. Reconstruction with perforator-based propeller flaps was planned for each of the patients. In total, 72 perforators were preoperatively identified and surgically isolated. The suprafascial course of each perforator was reported. Results: During suprafascial surgical exploration, branching patterns were observed in four perforators. These perforators had been classified as single vessels in the preoperative ultrasonographic analysis. However, after surgical dissection, distal converging branches were noted in two of them. Conclusions Our study is the first description in the literature of suprafascial converging perforators, which might constitute an obstacle to planned reconstruction procedures. Despite the accuracy of preoperative evaluations, anatomical variations were present. Knowledge of suprafascial perforator variations may help surgeons to choose the correct perforator upon which to base a planned flap.