Arch Craniofac Surg.  2014 Dec;15(3):121-124. 10.7181/acfs.2014.15.3.121.

Venous Occlusion Detected by Caregiver with Implantable Doppler in a Buried Free Flap

• Hur SW
• Kim TG
• Lee JH
• Chung KJ
• Kim YH

• KMID: 1917535
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.7181/acfs.2014.15.3.121

Abstract

The use of the implantable Doppler device eases the burden of free flap monitoring, and allows caregivers to notify healthcare personnel of a potential vascular event. A 24-year-old female patient underwent anterolateral thigh adipofascial flap surgery to provide a buried flap on the left temporal area for a depressed and infected skull wound. The author was able to salvage the flap from two venous occlusions, which was made possible by early notifications from the caregiver who reported changes in the Doppler signal.

Keyword

Free tissue flaps; Caregivers; Pulsed Doppler ultrasonography

MeSH Terms

Caregivers*
Delivery of Health Care
Female
Free Tissue Flaps*
Humans
Skull
Thigh
Ultrasonography, Doppler, Pulsed
Wounds and Injuries
Young Adult