ABSTRACT
The authors have developed a technique for postoperative monitoring of transferred
free flaps, making the removal of gauze dressings unnecessary. Their technique involves
the transparent, hydrogel wound dressing, Clear Site®. A Doppler probe can also be
directly applied over this material, to examine the patency of the vascular pedicle.
An adhesive border on the sheeted material keeps the flap aseptic, thus providing
fewer opportunities for wound infection. A wider use of this transparent dressing
technique in free-flap surgery is expected.
