An intravascular oxygen tension monitoring device used in myocutaneous transplants: a preliminary report.

An intravascular oxygen tension (PO2) sensor (Continucath 1000) was used to assess flap viability in microsurgically revascularized free flaps for 36 hours postoperatively. In vitro, long term stability, linearity, and response time of the PO2 sensor proved to be excellent. In 14 patients with sound flaps tissue PO2 values were found to be between 15 and 35 mm Hg. In three cases a failing flap needed reexploration. In these cases the PO2 sensor was accurate in detecting circulatory failure while in other cases it traced a number of physiological changes. The device holds promise for free flap monitoring but further studies are indicated.