Dynamic computer tomography determining the patency of buried free flaps

Numerous methods exist for monitoring the patency of cutaneous free flaps. Monitoring the patency of microvascular anastomosis in buried free flaps are limited. The present case report is of a 39-year-old female with Rhomberg's disease who underwent an abdominus rectus muscle free flap to correct the contour deformity of the right face. Dynamic CT scan was performed on the sixth postoperative day. Plots of the rate of change of density of the free flap were compared to an adjacent muscle of the face. Dynamic CT scanning provides a high degree of resolution of the free flap, the ability to examine the entire free flap, and the ability to determine the patency of buried free flap.