[Complications and failures in free-flap transplantations].

Complications and failures in nine cases of free flap transfer are reported. With increasing experience the number of failures declines. In six of seven cases with total flap necrosis technique and tactics in microsurgical procedure were responsible for the disaster. The failure in the other case was due to thrombosis of an axillary vein and thoracodorsal vein leading to necrosis of a latissimus dorsi flap. A dorsalis pedis flap was saved by arterial inflow through a flap vein. The fact that not one flap could be saved by revision is accounted for by the circumstance that the monitoring looks at capillary filling alone. It is possible that the Laser-Doppler-flowmetry is a useful and practical method for objective monitoring.