LASER-DOPPLER IMAGING OF AXIAL AND RANDOM PATTERN FLAPS IN THE MAXILLOFACIAL AREA - A PRELIMINARY-REPORT

Objective, non-invasive examination, techniques in addition to clinica l parameters, are required to follow-up the wound healing of flaps. Wi th the new laser Doppler Scanner (LDI DIM 1.0 Lisca Development AB, Sw eden) it is possible, for the first time, to measure and image the mic rocirculation continuously, non-invasively and without contact with th e wound, in an area of 12 cm square maximum. We performed measurements and simultaneous two-dimensional imaging of the microcirculation 24, 48, 72 h and 5 and 14 days postoperatively in 20 patients, who had had reconstruction procedures performed using random or axial pattern fla ps. The perfusion diagrams were correlated to the clinical appearance. Necrotic areas, venous stasis and normal course of wound healing can be clearly visualized and differentiated from one another. The new las er Doppler imaging system seems to be an excellent aid for following u p and planning of flaps in plastic and reconstructive surgery.