J Reconstr Microsurg 2013; 29(01): 021-026
DOI: 10.1055/s-0032-1326734
Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Colorimetric Examination of Typical Free Flap Donor Sites and Comparison to Recipient Sites in the Extremities

Florian Ensat
1   Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Hospital of the Barmherzigen Brüder Salzburg, Teaching Hospital of the Medical University Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
,
Markus Greindl
2   Department of Plastic, Hand, and Reconstructive Surgery, Barmherzige Brüder Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
,
Anna Skreiner
1   Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Hospital of the Barmherzigen Brüder Salzburg, Teaching Hospital of the Medical University Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
,
Heinrich Schubert
1   Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Hospital of the Barmherzigen Brüder Salzburg, Teaching Hospital of the Medical University Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
,
Michaela Hladik
1   Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Hospital of the Barmherzigen Brüder Salzburg, Teaching Hospital of the Medical University Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
,
Alexander Stuflesser
1   Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Hospital of the Barmherzigen Brüder Salzburg, Teaching Hospital of the Medical University Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
,
Marcus Spies
2   Department of Plastic, Hand, and Reconstructive Surgery, Barmherzige Brüder Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
,
Gottfried Wechselberger
1   Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Hospital of the Barmherzigen Brüder Salzburg, Teaching Hospital of the Medical University Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
› Institutsangaben
Weitere Informationen

Publikationsverlauf

12. Januar 2012

15. Mai 2012

Publikationsdatum:
23. Oktober 2012 (online)

Preview

Abstract

Results after free flap reconstruction in the extremities are often impaired by missing color match of the transferred flap and the recipient site. But pre-existing color match is the precondition for satisfying aesthetic results. To obtain suitable free flap donor sites in terms of color for extremity reconstruction and to understand frequent color mismatch, we performed a colorimetric study including 60 healthy volunteers. Ten free flap donor sites were compared with ten recipient sites in the extremities. The results of our study showed that lower extremity sites are markedly lighter than upper extremity sites with the exception of the palmar forearm. We encountered an excellent color match of the radial forearm flap to the back of the hand (4.10 ± 1.91) and the palm of the hand (5.62 ± 2.21), and significantly relevant color match to the palmar aspect of the forearm (2.52 ± 1.23). Additionally, the lateral arm flap showed a remarkable color match to the dorsal aspect of the forearm (3.13 ± 2.06). Furthermore we encountered significantly relevant color match of the fibula flap to the anterior aspect of the lower leg (2.01 ± 1.08) and excellent color match of the anterolateral thigh flap (ALT) to the palmar aspect of the forearm (3.66 ± 2.10). No further significantly relevant color differences between the other donor sites and recipient regions were found. Colorimetric measurements are a helpful tool in reconstructive surgery to compare skin color of different anatomic sites.