[Temperature of the skin in microvascular flaps].

Transferred free flaps by their defined vascular net improve the perfusion of the recipient region. Skin temperature depends on the skin perfusion, temperature conduction of the visceral organs, muscles and blood vessels, as well as on the heat loss by the evaporation and air convection in the environment. At the Clinic for Plastic Surgery and Burns and at the Institute of Hygiene of the Military Medical Academy, skin temperature of the transferred free flaps and the recipient region surrounding were analyzed and measured in controlled microclimate conditions. The analysis was performed in 31 subjects, 20.23 months after the free tissue transfer. The aim of the study was to determine the differences between the skin temperature of the transferred free flaps and the recipient region surrounding, as wall as of the donor's region surrounding. The results of the investigation revealed that skin temperature of the transferred free flaps was lower in 28 (90.3%) patients than the temperature of the donor's region surrounding. Skin temperature of the transferred free flaps was higher in 25 subjects (80.6%) than the temperature of the recipient region surrounding. Skin temperature of free flaps transferred to the foot and the lower leg was higher than the skin temperature of the recipient region surrounding but was also lower in the flaps transferred on the head. The temperature of the recipient region surrounding influenced the skin temperature of the transferred free flaps, besides the flap tissue perfusion.