Temperature Changes of Wound Fluid in Bipedicle Tube Flaps: An Experimental Study

Abstract

Temperature was measured in wound fluid accumulated in cylinders which had been implanted in both ends of bipedicle tube flaps 2 to 8 weeks previously. Cylinders implanted in skin folds were used as controls. The temperature in the cylinders is influenced by local heat production from metabolic processes and by increasing insulation due to growth of hair and of tissue in the cylinders. These factors were similar in both groups, however, as is shown by an equal healing potential. The changes and differences of temperature corresponded essentially to the clearance of ¹³³Xenon during the first 4 weeks. After week 4 ¹³³Xenon clearance cannot be used as an indicator of blood flow. The temperature was lower in skin flap than in skin fold cylinders at weeks 5 and 6. It was concluded that temperature is a better indicator of blood flow than is ¹³³Xenon after week 4 and that blood flow was lower in flaps during weeks 5 and 6, as well as in weeks 3 and 4, as was shown in a previous study. No difference in temperature was observed between the two ends of the flaps and the blood flow was probably similar.