EVALUATION OF LYMPHATIC DRAINAGE IN FREE FLAPS BY LYMPHOSCINTIGRAPHY - A PRELIMINARY-STUDY

Lymphatic drainage from free flaps was studied by lymphoscintigraphy i n 14 patients in whom free vascularised flaps were used to cover defec ts caused by trauma or tumour ablation, Lymphoscintigrams were done af ter intradermal injection of Technetium-99m-Dextran in the flap and in the corresponding contralateral normal area. The retention of radioac tivity at the injection sites after Ih was computed and expressed as p ercentages of baseline activity at the time of injection. 25 studies w ere done in 14 patients at intervals varying from 9 days to 6 years po stoperatively, In all cases, radioactivity was detected beyond the fla ps in the lymphatic channels and draining lymph nodes. There was no si gnificant difference (P = 0.27) between the retention of activity in t he flaps (mean 88.68%; s,e,m. 1.25) and that in the corresponding cont ralateral control area (mean 86.88%; s.e,m, 1.35), This study shows th at lymphatic drainage in a free flap is established early after surger y.