抄録
Transcutaneous carbon dioxide pressure ( TcPCO2 ) was originally used for noninvasive measurement of the partial pressure of carbon dioxide ( PaCO2 ) during arterial blood monitoring, and in various conditions, TcPCO2 values were found to be more stable than transcutaneous oxygen pressure ( TcPO2 ) values. In experiments involving animals, TcPCO2 values were found to increase rapidly with each arterial and venous occlusion for abdominal pedicle flaps. In addition, at 37℃, TcPO2 and TcPCO2 were measured in healthy men. In these men, these variables were measurable at all skin surface sites ; moreover, the median values of TcPCO2 ranged from 40 to 70mmHg. This study included the last 49 patients who underwent free flap surgery between January 2002 and June 2011. Of these patients, 2 had venous thrombosis. For those with compromised flaps, reanastomosis was immediately performed after identifying a TcPCO2 value of >90mmHg. Our experimental and clinical results indicat that, at 37℃, TcPCO2 values are more stable than TcPO2 values ; moreover, TcPCO2 can be used as a predictable method for monitoring vascular skin complications. Continuous monitoring of TcPCO2 at 37℃ can provide objective information and alert doctors and nurses to the need for checking the free flaps.
