Hernández-Moreno ÁA, Caltenco-Solís RB, Rivas-León B

Language: Spanish
References: 13
Page: 198-202
PDF size: 880.44 Kb.

ABSTRACT

Doppler ultrasonography is a tool used to document the patency of microvascular pedicles and characterize blood flow at the anastomosis site. Infrared thermography allows quantification of skin surface temperature as a proxy for tissue perfusion. We conducted an observational, analytical, longitudinal, retrospective and retrolective, single-cohort, single-center study. Microvascular free flaps monitored with Doppler ultrasonography and infrared thermography during the first five postoperative days were included. In Doppler assessment, a normal audible signal on days 4-5 was associated with a negative predictive value (NPV) of 100%, whereas abnormal findings showed a positive predictive value (PPV) ≤ 50%. In thermography, persistent hypothermia from postoperative day two onward was associated with a PPV of 100% for necrosis, while euthermia showed an NPV of 80% for survival. These findings suggest that thermal dynamics may provide early signals of unfavorable trajectories in free flaps, whereas Doppler maintains predominantly a confirmatory value when signals are clearly normal. The data do not allow establishing statistical superiority of one technique over the other in discriminating viable versus at-risk flaps but suggest a functionally complementary pattern.

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