Ehrl, Denis and Alt, Verena and Taha, Sara and Frank, Konstantin and Wachtel, Nikolaus and Bodenschatz, Karl J. and Demmer, Wolfram and Fuchs, Benedikt and Giunta, Riccardo E. and Moellhoff, Nicholas (2025) Changes in the Microcirculation and Physiologic Perfusion Dynamics of Free DIEP Flaps in the First 72 h After Breast Reconstruction. JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE, 14 (2): 520. ISSN , 2077-0383
Full text not available from this repository. (Request a copy)Abstract
Background/Objectives: The autologous reconstruction of the female breast using a microsurgical DIEP flap is a reliable and safe method. To detect impairments early and preserve the microvascular flap through timely revision, a better understanding of physiologic perfusion dynamics is necessary. This exploratory study examines changes in microcirculation in free DIEP flaps within the first 72 h after vascular anastomosis using laser Doppler flowmetry and white-light spectrophotometry. Methods: This single-center study analyzed retro- and prospectively collected data from female patients who underwent uneventful breast reconstruction using a DIEP flap and were monitored using the O2C device (LEA Medizintechnik, Giessen, Germany). Microcirculation was monitored continuously postoperatively for a period of 72 h. Results: A total of 36 patients with a mean age of 48.86 (9.36) years and a mean BMI of 26.78 (4.12) kg/m2 received 40 DIEP flaps (four bilateral reconstructions). Microcirculatory blood flow showed a continuous increase, reaching up to 15% above its initial value within the first 72 h following anastomosis. The average tissue oxygen saturation (sO2) and relative hemoglobin (rHB) levels remained fairly stable throughout the study period, with overall reductions of 5.46% and 5.30%, respectively. Conclusions: Autologous breast reconstruction using a microvascular DIEP flap is a safe and reliable technique. This study showed an increase in blood flow over the 72 h study period. At the same time, sO2 and rHb showed stable levels. Deviations in these values could be interpreted as indicators of a perfusion disorder of the microvascular flap.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | LASER-DOPPLER FLOWMETRY; QUALITY-OF-LIFE; BLOOD-FLOW; EXPERIENCE; SALVAGE; SKIN; breast reconstruction; microsurgery; autologous reconstruction; breast cancer |
| Subjects: | 600 Technology > 610 Medical sciences Medicine |
| Divisions: | Medicine > Zentren des Universitätsklinikums Regensburg > Zentrum für Plastische-, Hand- und Wiederherstellungschirurgie |
| Depositing User: | Dr. Gernot Deinzer |
| Date Deposited: | 11 May 2026 09:10 |
| Last Modified: | 11 May 2026 09:10 |
| URI: | https://pred.uni-regensburg.de/id/eprint/67525 |
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