Comparison of laser Doppler flowmetry and thermometry in the postoperative monitoring of replantations

textabstractReliable postoperative monitoring in microvascular surgery is necessary to improve the success rate of reexplorations following vascular compromise. Surface thermometry is known as an easy and inexpensive objective postoperative monitor and therefore is used by many microsurgeons. Reliability, however, is not satisfactory, and therefore several other instrumental methods have been tested of which laser Doppler flowmetry shows the most promising results. This study compared laser Doppler flowmetry to thermometry in the postoperative monitoring after replantation surgery. In 34 patients, 45 replantations and revascularizations were monitored by laser Doppler flowmetry and thermometry. A reliable alarm value of 10 PU was defined for replantations and revascularizations, with a sensitivity of 93% and a specificity of 94%. Thermometry showed a sensitivity of 84% and a specificity of 86% at 29°C