The use of a free jejunal transfer to reconstruct the defects produced during the resection of the pharynx, larynx, or cervical esophagus is becoming a standard approach. Jejunal flap necrosis due to inadequate blood circulation is a serious postoperative complication of jejunal transplantation. However, the methods used to evaluate implant blood flow in such cases vary among institutions.
From January 2013 to January 2015, we monitored the blood flow through the mesentery using a pencil Doppler probe in eight patients. The monitoring was ceased after the viability of the jejunal flap had been directly confirmed using an endoscope. No abnormalities were detected during the Doppler scans, and no postoperative complications occurred in these patients.
The setting up of the monitoring equipment was easy, and we were able to evaluate the blood flow of the implants directly and indirectly. Thus, the monitoring of mesenteric flaps using a pencil Doppler probe is useful for evaluating postoperative blood flow in transplanted intestines.
