The implantable Cook Doppler probe for postoperative monitoring in head and neck free flap reconstruction: a critical evaluation

Abstract

Introduction: Microvascular reconstruction requires postoperative monitoring to prevent vascular occlusion and flap failure. For some head and neck reconstructions, clinical monitoring is difficult and in others impossible due to flap components or site. The Cook–Swartz implantable Doppler flow system provides continual feedback on vascular pedicle status. This provides rapid assessment of minute-to-minute changes in microvascular flow that may allow intervention before total vascular occlusion permitting expeditious re-exploration for threatened flap failure, improving flap salvage.