Preliminary study of blood flow changes in the donor site of radial forearm flap with near-infrared spectroscopy.

PORPUSE: To investigate changes of blood oxygen saturation in the donor site of radial forearm flap both preoperatively and postoperatively with near-infrared spectroscopy technique, and discuss the influence of elevation of radial forearm flap on the donor site' blood flow. METHODS: Thirty-five patients who received unilateral elevation of radial forearm flap were involved, the pre-and postoperative blood oxygen saturation of thenar and hypothenar in donor site and contra-lateral forearm were measured by near-infrared oximeter (TSAH-100), in the following manner one time per 4 hours in the first 24 hours, then twice per day after the first 24 hours till the seventh day postoperatively. The data was compared between SO₂ values of hypothenar and thenar with paired t test using SPSS13.0 software package. RESULTS: Blood oxygen saturation of thenar and hypothenar in donor site both increased from lower level to higher level when compared with contra -lateral forearm, and then decreased gradually to the preoperative level. Blood oxygen saturation of hypothenar of donor site reached peak value at 20-hour after operation and had significant difference with the value of contra-lateral hypothenar. While the blood oxygen saturation of thenar of donor site reached peak value at 24 -hour after operation and had significant difference with the contra -lateral thenar at 12 -hour and 48 -hour postoperatively. However, blood oxygen saturation of thenar and hypothenar of donor site had no significant difference when compared with contra-lateral forearm on the seventh day postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: The elevation of radial forearm flap produced minor influence on the blood flow of donor site. With no variation of radial artery and cephalic vein, the collateral circulation between radial artery and ulnar artery can afford the blood supply of donor site postoperatively till the blood flow returned to preoperative level at the sixth or seventh day postoperatively. Supported by Capital Medical Development Scientific Research Fund (2009-3039). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]