Investigation of flow velocity in recipient perforator artery for a reliable indicator for the flap transfer with perforator to perforator anastomosis

Introduction In flap transfer with perforator to perforator anastomosis (FTPPA), encountering poor pulsation and blood flow in a recipient perforator intraoperatively often makes FTPPA impossible. This study sought to identify color and spectral Doppler ultrasonography (CSDUS) parameters that can aid reliable preoperative selection of a recipient perforator artery. Patients and Methods The study enrolled 38 patients with lower extremity lymphedema who underwent vascularized lymphatic tissue transfer with perforator to perforator anastomosis for physiological lymphatic flow reconstruction. In all cases, three candidate recipient perforators were searched in each lower extremities, and vessel diameter and peak systolic flow velocity (PSFV) were measured. The inclusion criteria for candidates were a vessel diameter of >0.5 mm and a PSFV of >10 cm/s. These measures were compared with intraoperative findings, diameters and if there was pulsation and visible spurting evident. Results A total of 114 candidates were selected, and 52 of the candidates were dissected until suitable perforators were found. PSFV (cm/s) on CSDUS was >= 20.0 in 32 perforators (84.2%) and was 15.0-19.9 in 6 perforators (15.8%) in the group with pulsation and visible spurting evident, and 15.0-19.9 in one perforator (7.1%) and <= 14.9 in 13 perforators (92.9%) in the group without pulsation and visible spurting evident. There was a statistically significant correlation between preoperative PSFV and intraoperative pulsation and visible spurting evident after dissection (P = 0.021 x 10(-3)). The flap survival rate was 92.1%. Conclusion PSFV is an important preoperative determinant of the suitability of a recipient perforator artery for FTPPA.