Quantitative fluorometry as a monitor for microvascular surgery.

There is a clear need for effective methods of monitoring for postoperative occlusion of vessels in microvascular surgery. We have evaluated one technique, quantitative fluorometry, in the laboratory and clinically. Our laboratory study used rat abdominal flaps under conditions of controlled occlusion. We found accurate detection of vascular occlusion within 20 minutes, but we were unable to differentiate arterial from venous occlusion. Our clinical review of 34 microvascular cases (14 free flaps and 20 replantations) that employed fluorometry revealed corroboration of occlusion (indicated by another monitoring technique) in six cases and a diagnosis at variance with other monitoring methods in one case, thus preventing an operative exploration. We recommend the use of quantitative fluorometry as a primary or adjunctive method of monitoring when patency is in question and have outlined a protocol for clinical use.