Parameters for the preoperative evaluation of arteriosclerosis for free-flap transfers in head and neck surgery

The microsurgical transfer of free tissue has become essential for reconstr uctive surgery in the head and neck, and arteriosclerosis is one of the ris k factors for microvascular anastomosis. In order to detect severe arterios clerosis and to determine the parameters useful for evaluating arterioscler osis preoperatively, the grade of arteriosclerosis was investigated with re spect to age, PWV (Aortic Pulse Wave Velocity), ocular fundus findings, and histopathological findings of the recipient arteries in 40 patients with m alignant tumours. Severe arteriosclerosis was detected in 2/40 patients by the PWV, in the same 2/40 patients by the ocular fundus findings and in the same 2/40 patients by histopathological findings. The current observations indicate that the PWV and ocular fundus findings are useful parameters for the preoperative evaluation of the grade of arteriosclerosis.