We performed vascular waveform analysis of flap-feeding vessels using color Doppler ultrasonography and evaluated the blood\nflow in the flaps prior to surgery. Vascular waveform analysis was performed in 19 patients. The analyzed parameters included the\nvascular diameter, flow volume, flow velocity, resistance index, pulsatility index, and acceleration time.The arterial waveform was\nclassified into 5 types based on the partiallymodified blood flow waveformclassification reported byHirai et al.; in particular, D-1a,\nD-1b, and D-2 were considered as normal waveforms. They were 4 patients which observed abnormal vascular waveform among\n19 patients (D-4 : 1, D-3 : 1, and Poor detect : 2). The case which presented D-4 waveform changed the surgical procedure, and a\nfavorable outcome was achieved. Muscle flap of the case which presented D-3 waveform was partially necrosed. The case which\ndetected blood flow poorly was judged to be the vascular obstruction of the internal thoracic artery. In the evaluation of blood\nflow in flaps using color Doppler ultrasonography, determination of not only basic blood flow information, such as the vascular\ndistribution and diameter and flow velocity, but also the flow volume, vascular resistance, and arterial waveform is essential to\nelucidate the hemodynamics of the flap.
Loading....