Local heating-induced cutaneous vasodilation in reinnervated and noninnervated deep inferior epigastric perforator flaps.
Hansje P SmeeleLisa MartinSander M J van KuijkPieter R ZwanenburgRené R W J van der HulstStefania M H TuinderBérengère FromyPublished in: Microsurgery (2023)
Our results suggest that free flap transfer causes longstanding impairment, yet not complete abolition, of both the sensory nerve-mediated and nitric oxide-dependent local heating-induced cutaneous vasodilatory systems. We found no statistical evidence that flap reinnervation improves the ability to raise skin blood flow in response to local heating.