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J Hand Microsurg 2022; 14(04): 271-275
DOI: 10.1055/s-0041-1727296
Review Article

Importance of Postoperative Use of External Warming Devices in Flap Reconstructive Surgery

Mohamed Maklad‡   *
1   Department of Hand and Plastic Surgery, Nottingham University Hospitals, Nottingham, United Kingdom
,
Ahmed Emam‡   *
2   Department of Plastic Surgery, Welsh Centre of Burns and Plastic Surgery, United Kingdom
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Abstract

Flap failure, partial or complete, can have great negative impact on the patient and the reconstructive outcome. The effect of thermal regulation on flap survival is well recognized. This article focuses on the importance of external warming devices as a standard on postoperative flap care to avoid any temperature-related vascular compromise. PubMed, Medline, and EMBASE search had been performed. More than 60 papers have been reviewed. Out of them, that 29 references have been included in this review. The authors emphasize on the importance of strict postoperative flap temperature control with active warming devices as a standard of practice to minimize any related microcirculatory changes.

Keywords

flap thermoregulation - temperature - warming - microcirculation - flap monitoring

* Both authors contributed equally to this work.




Publication History

Article published online:
13 April 2021

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