Effects of Cutaneous Negative Pressure Application on Perforator Artery Flow in Healthy Volunteers: A Preliminary Study

Marco Innocenti; Mariella Santini; Emanuela Dreassi; Robin Martin; Dario Melita; Barbara Colombini; Alessandro Innocenti

doi:10.1055/s-0038-1668157

Journal of Reconstructive Microsurgery, Table of Contents

J Reconstr Microsurg 2019; 35(03): 189-193
DOI: 10.1055/s-0038-1668157

Original Article

Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Effects of Cutaneous Negative Pressure Application on Perforator Artery Flow in Healthy Volunteers: A Preliminary Study

Marco Innocenti

¹Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Microsurgery, Careggi University Hospital, Florence, Italy

,

Mariella Santini

²Department of Cardiovascular Diagnostics, Careggi University Hospital, Florence, Italy

,

Emanuela Dreassi

³Department of Statistica, Informatica, Applicazioni “G.Parenti” DiSIA, University of Florence, Florence, Italy

,

Robin Martin

⁴Scientific Consulting, Foggathorpe, East Yorkshire, United Kingdom

,

Dario Melita

¹Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Microsurgery, Careggi University Hospital, Florence, Italy

,

Barbara Colombini

⁵Section of Physiological Sciences, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, School of Human Health Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy

,

Alessandro Innocenti

¹Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Microsurgery, Careggi University Hospital, Florence, Italy

› Author Affiliations

Abstract

Background The creation of skin flaps based on small perforator vessels is an increasingly popular procedure nowadays; the optimization of their blood supply enhances surgical success. This study evaluates the effects on the flowmetries of 7 days' negative pressure application on the skin surface overlying the muscle fascia emergence of periumbilical perforators of the deep inferior epigastric artery (DIEA).

Methods Ten volunteer participants were enrolled. In each subject, one periumbilical perforator of the DIEA was identified on each side of the abdomen using an eco-color-Doppler. One of them was used as the control group, while the other (the study group) underwent 80 mm Hg negative pressure for 7 days. The flowmetries of both perforators were measured before and after the application of negative pressure wound therapy.

Results After the application of negative pressure, randomly applied on the skin surface over one of the two selected periumbilical perforators, an increase in the flowmetries was observed in both groups of perforators (2.74 cm/s; p < 0.0001). The relative flowmetry increase in the control group was 9.55% (2.735 cm/s), while in the study group it was 44.03% (8.748 cm/s).

Conclusion The application of negative pressure system on the skin surface over the muscle fascia emergence of the selected periumbilical perforators showed an increase in flowmetry. Although this is a preliminary study, this simple and economical procedure before surgery could be usefully employed to increase the rate of success in microsurgical procedures.

Keywords

microsurgery - perforator flap - perforator - microsurgical procedures

Full Text

References

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