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Revascularization of Free Skin Grafts Overlying Modified Hughes Tarsoconjunctival Flaps Monitored Using Laser-Based Techniques

Berggren, Johanna LU ; Tenland, Kajsa LU ; Ansson, Cu Dinh LU ; Dahlstrand, Ulf LU ; Sheikh, Rafi LU orcid ; Hult, Jenny LU orcid ; Engelsberg, Karl LU ; Lindstedt, Sandra LU and Malmsjö, Malin LU (2019) In Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery 35(4). p.378-382
Abstract
Purpose: It has recently been shown that the flap pedicle does not supply blood to a tarsoconjunctival graft in the modified Hughes procedure in patients. This raises questions concerning the rate of revascularization of the free skin graft commonly used to reconstruct the anterior lamella. The aim of this study was, thus, to monitor the course of revascularization in free skin grafts overlying modified Hughes tarsoconjunctival flaps, using laser-based techniques.

Methods: Free skin grafts from the upper eyelid or upper arm in 9 patients were used to cover a tarsoconjunctival flap according to the modified Hughes procedure. Blood perfusion was monitored using laser speckle contrast imaging, and vascular reactivity was studied with... (More)
Purpose: It has recently been shown that the flap pedicle does not supply blood to a tarsoconjunctival graft in the modified Hughes procedure in patients. This raises questions concerning the rate of revascularization of the free skin graft commonly used to reconstruct the anterior lamella. The aim of this study was, thus, to monitor the course of revascularization in free skin grafts overlying modified Hughes tarsoconjunctival flaps, using laser-based techniques.

Methods: Free skin grafts from the upper eyelid or upper arm in 9 patients were used to cover a tarsoconjunctival flap according to the modified Hughes procedure. Blood perfusion was monitored using laser speckle contrast imaging, and vascular reactivity was studied with laser Doppler velocimetry after heating the tissue to 44°C. Measurements were made at the time of surgery (baseline) and at 1, 3, 8, and 16 weeks postoperatively.

Results: The gradual increase in perfusion of the free skin grafts during the healing process indicates revascularization. A slight increase in perfusion was seen already after 1 week. Perfusion reached 50% of the baseline after 3 weeks, and complete restoration of perfusion was seen after 8 weeks. The vascular function monitored with heat-induced hyperemia increased in a similar fashion.

Conclusions: Full-thickness skin grafts revascularize within 3 to 8 weeks, despite overlying a tarsoconjunctival flap, which has recently been reported to be avascular. This provides further evidence that it should be possible to repair large eyelid defects using free full-thickness eyelid grafts.
(Less)
Abstract (Swedish)
Purpose: It has recently been shown that the flap pedicle does not supply blood to a tarsoconjunctival graft in the modified Hughes procedure in patients. This raises questions concerning the rate of revascularization of the free skin graft commonly used to reconstruct the anterior lamella. The aim of this study was, thus, to monitor the course of revascularization in free skin grafts overlying modified Hughes tarsoconjunctival flaps, using laser-based techniques.

Methods: Free skin grafts from the upper eyelid or upper arm in 9 patients were used to cover a tarsoconjunctival flap according to the modified Hughes procedure. Blood perfusion was monitored using laser speckle contrast imaging, and vascular reactivity was studied with... (More)
Purpose: It has recently been shown that the flap pedicle does not supply blood to a tarsoconjunctival graft in the modified Hughes procedure in patients. This raises questions concerning the rate of revascularization of the free skin graft commonly used to reconstruct the anterior lamella. The aim of this study was, thus, to monitor the course of revascularization in free skin grafts overlying modified Hughes tarsoconjunctival flaps, using laser-based techniques.

Methods: Free skin grafts from the upper eyelid or upper arm in 9 patients were used to cover a tarsoconjunctival flap according to the modified Hughes procedure. Blood perfusion was monitored using laser speckle contrast imaging, and vascular reactivity was studied with laser Doppler velocimetry after heating the tissue to 44°C. Measurements were made at the time of surgery (baseline) and at 1, 3, 8, and 16 weeks postoperatively.

Results: The gradual increase in perfusion of the free skin grafts during the healing process indicates revascularization. A slight increase in perfusion was seen already after 1 week. Perfusion reached 50% of the baseline after 3 weeks, and complete restoration of perfusion was seen after 8 weeks. The vascular function monitored with heat-induced hyperemia increased in a similar fashion.

Conclusions: Full-thickness skin grafts revascularize within 3 to 8 weeks, despite overlying a tarsoconjunctival flap, which has recently been reported to be avascular. This provides further evidence that it should be possible to repair large eyelid defects using free full-thickness eyelid grafts. (Less)
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author
; ; ; ; ; ; ; and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
in
Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
volume
35
issue
4
pages
378 - 382
publisher
Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
external identifiers
  • pmid:30664573
  • scopus:85069293542
ISSN
1537-2677
DOI
10.1097/IOP.0000000000001286
project
Blood Perfusion in Flaps during Reconstructive Surgery after Tumor Excision around the Eyes Investigated by Laser Speckle Contrast Imaging in Humans
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
3343c127-dbf2-4662-b947-e15b28e74cc5
date added to LUP
2019-01-22 10:27:49
date last changed
2023-09-08 16:09:09
@article{3343c127-dbf2-4662-b947-e15b28e74cc5,
  abstract     = {{Purpose: It has recently been shown that the flap pedicle does not supply blood to a tarsoconjunctival graft in the modified Hughes procedure in patients. This raises questions concerning the rate of revascularization of the free skin graft commonly used to reconstruct the anterior lamella. The aim of this study was, thus, to monitor the course of revascularization in free skin grafts overlying modified Hughes tarsoconjunctival flaps, using laser-based techniques.<br/><br/>Methods: Free skin grafts from the upper eyelid or upper arm in 9 patients were used to cover a tarsoconjunctival flap according to the modified Hughes procedure. Blood perfusion was monitored using laser speckle contrast imaging, and vascular reactivity was studied with laser Doppler velocimetry after heating the tissue to 44°C. Measurements were made at the time of surgery (baseline) and at 1, 3, 8, and 16 weeks postoperatively.<br/><br/>Results: The gradual increase in perfusion of the free skin grafts during the healing process indicates revascularization. A slight increase in perfusion was seen already after 1 week. Perfusion reached 50% of the baseline after 3 weeks, and complete restoration of perfusion was seen after 8 weeks. The vascular function monitored with heat-induced hyperemia increased in a similar fashion.<br/><br/>Conclusions: Full-thickness skin grafts revascularize within 3 to 8 weeks, despite overlying a tarsoconjunctival flap, which has recently been reported to be avascular. This provides further evidence that it should be possible to repair large eyelid defects using free full-thickness eyelid grafts.<br/>}},
  author       = {{Berggren, Johanna and Tenland, Kajsa and Ansson, Cu Dinh and Dahlstrand, Ulf and Sheikh, Rafi and Hult, Jenny and Engelsberg, Karl and Lindstedt, Sandra and Malmsjö, Malin}},
  issn         = {{1537-2677}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  number       = {{4}},
  pages        = {{378--382}},
  publisher    = {{Lippincott Williams & Wilkins}},
  series       = {{Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery}},
  title        = {{Revascularization of Free Skin Grafts Overlying Modified Hughes Tarsoconjunctival Flaps Monitored Using Laser-Based Techniques}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/IOP.0000000000001286}},
  doi          = {{10.1097/IOP.0000000000001286}},
  volume       = {{35}},
  year         = {{2019}},
}