Comparative study of skin blood flow in various types of delayed deltopectoral flaps using the xenon-133 clearance method

We investigated the skin blood flow in five types of delayed deltopectoral flaps and the optimal time for transfer after delay operation using the local clearance method of Xenon-133. The results obtained are reported. 1) Characteristic differences were observed in recovery patterns of the distal blood flow among the five types of delay procedure. 2) The recovery in the distal blood flow of the D-P flap lined with a split-skin graft appeared the fastest among the five types, followed by the tubed D-P flap. 3) When using a bipedicled D-P flap, lateral incision should be performed within 10 days after delay procedure. 4) The skin blood flow of less than 5 ml/100g/min indicated a high risk of necrosi s of the deltopectoral flap. 5) The optimal time for transfer was found to be when the skin blood flow of the distal region recovered to the control level. (author)