Abstract
Background: The viability of any pedicled flap depends upon its vascularity. When a flap is
dissected it becomes relatively ischaemic. Ultimately, the viability of the flap depends
on the vessels incorporated in the pedicle and their perfusion capacity. There are
different techniques to evaluate the blood supply of a flap.
Aims: This study deals with experimental and clinical efficiency of fluorescein dye technique
to evaluate the vascularity of flaps of various compositions.
Materials and Methods: The experimental study was conducted on rats to standardize the technique. Thereafter
clinical evaluation was conducted for different flaps namely fasciocutaneous, skeletonized
perforator based fasciocutaneous, adipofascial, fasciocutaneous flap with adipofascial
extension, fasciocutaneous flap with fascial extension and fasciocutaneous flap with
split fascial extension.
Conclusions: The paper deals in detail with the technique and method of documentation of a fluorescein
study on flaps both experimentally and clinically. The appearance of fluorescein on
both the surfaces and distal margin of the flap confirmed the adequacy of vascularity
soon after dissection of the flaps. It was found to be an easy, safe and reliable
objective method.
KEYWORDS
Peroperative fluorescein dye study - vascularity - flaps
