Behavior of Free Jejunal Flaps after Early Disruption of Blood Supply

Abstract

We describe three free jejunal flaps that lost their axial blood supply in the early postoperative period-two flaps on the 7th day and the third on the 17th day. At 7 days, reestablishment of axial blood flow was essential to flap survival, whereas after 17 days, vascularization from the recipient bed was adequate to maintain viability. Based on these observations, a conservative approach to flap salvage for cases with pedicle disruption at 17 days or later is recommended. (C) 2002 by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons.