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Professor Malin Malmsjö, MD, PhD. Photo.

Malin Malmsjö

Professor

Professor Malin Malmsjö, MD, PhD. Photo.

Laser Speckle Contrast Imaging of the Blood Perfusion in Glabellar Flaps Used to Repair Medial Canthal Defects

Author

  • Johanna V Berggren
  • Kajsa Tenland
  • Rafi Sheikh
  • Jenny Hult
  • Karl Engelsberg
  • Sandra Lindstedt
  • Malin Malmsjö

Summary, in English

BACKGROUND: The glabellar flap is a common technique for surgical repair after tumor excision in the medial canthal area. However, the outcome may be affected by partial flap necrosis. Little is known about the impact of surgery on blood perfusion and the postoperative course of reperfusion due to the absence of reliable and noninvasive perfusion monitoring techniques. The aim of this study was to use a modern imaging technique to assess blood perfusion in glabellar flaps.

METHODS: Glabellar flaps were used to repair medial canthal defects following tumor excision in 7 patients. Blood perfusion was monitored using laser speckle contrast imaging: during surgery, immediately postoperatively (0 weeks), and at follow-up, 1, 3, and 6 weeks after surgery.

RESULTS: Perfusion decreased gradually along the length of the flap, and reached a minimum 15 mm from the flap base. Perfusion in the proximal 20 mm of the flap was completely restored after 1 week, while the distal part of the flap was gradually reperfused over 6 weeks. Both the functional and esthetic surgical outcomes were excellent.

CONCLUSIONS: The rapid reperfusion of the glabellar flap may be explained by its connection to the vascular network via the flap pedicle. In flaps longer than 20 mm, the distal part can be considered a free skin transplant, and a combination of a glabellar flap and a free skin graft could then be considered.

Department/s

  • Ophthalmology Imaging Research Group
  • Clinical and experimental lung transplantation
  • StemTherapy: National Initiative on Stem Cells for Regenerative Therapy
  • NPWT technology

Publishing year

2022

Language

English

Pages

274-279

Publication/Series

Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery

Volume

38

Issue

3

Document type

Journal article

Publisher

Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Topic

  • Surgery
  • Ophthalmology

Status

Published

Research group

  • Ophthalmology Imaging Research Group
  • Clinical and experimental lung transplantation
  • NPWT technology

ISBN/ISSN/Other

  • ISSN: 1537-2677