flap temperature monitorinh for head and neck reconstruction

초록

Purpose The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy of temperature changes for monitoring of free flaps used for head and neck reconstruction. Methods From December 2016 to January 2018, flap temperatures were monitored in twelve patients that underwent head and neck reconstruction using a free flap. Implantable temperature probes were used obtain postoperative temperature profiles of the flap and the surrounding tissue; core temperatures were also measured. The temperatures of the flap and the surrounding tissue were measured every 1-2 hours after surgery for 7-10 days. The body temperatures were measured every 8 hours. Temperature differences between the body, the flap, and the surrounding tissues were statistically analyzed. Results There were 12 patients, 9 males and 3 females, of mean age 60.7 years. Flap temperatures were higher than body and surrounding tissue temperatures for up to 12 hours after surgery but subsequently were lower. In fact, body temperatures were always higher than flap and surrounding tissue temperatures from 12 hours after surgery. Furthermore, differences between flap and body temperatures were significantly greater than differences between flap and surrounding tissue temperatures. Conclusion For flap temperature monitoring, the temperature difference between a flap and surrounding tissue is more suitable than that between a flap and body temperature. However, we recommend the flap monitoring with temperature difference and other monitoring method additionally.