Comparison of transcutaneous oximetry and laser Doppler flowmetry as noninvasive predictors of wound healing after excision of extremity soft- tissue sarcomas Journal Article


Authors: Conlon, K. C.; Sclafani, L.; DiResta, G. R.; Brennan, M. F.
Article Title: Comparison of transcutaneous oximetry and laser Doppler flowmetry as noninvasive predictors of wound healing after excision of extremity soft- tissue sarcomas
Abstract: Background. We wished to determine whether transcutaneous oximetry or laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF) could identify patients at risk for wound failure after conservative, limb-sparing surgery for extremity sarcomas. Methods. Studies were performed on postoperative days (PODs) 1, 4/5, 7, and 9. Measurements of transcutaneous oxygen pressure (tcPO2) were taken at breathing room air (BL) and 100% oxygen (rate tcPO2). LDF measurements were taken at multiple sites along the wound, and a perfusion index was calculated. Results. Twenty-four patients were studied. Four (17%) had nonhealing wounds. There was no difference in tcPO2 (BL) values between healed and nonhealing wounds. Measurement of rate tcPO2 on POD 1 was significantly lower in the nonhealing wounds than in those with normal healing (28.5 ± 12.1 mm Hg vs 14.3 ± 16.2 mm Hg, mean ± SD, p = 0.03). Rate tcPO2 values increased significantly in healing wounds from POD 1 to PODs 7 and 9 (p = 0.006, p = 0.009). This increase was absent in nonhealing wounds. A clear separation was noted in rate tcPO2 values between groups, with a minimum rate tcPO2 value recorded in a healed wound of 9 mm Hg/min, compared with the maximum value in a nonhealing wound of 7 mm Hg/min. The LDF perfusion index failed to predict wound healing at any of the measured time points. Conclusions. This study showed that measurement of tcPO2 during oxygen inhalation can accurately predict wound healing in patients after excision of an extremity sarcoma.
Keywords: adult; clinical article; aged; aged, 80 and over; cancer surgery; clinical feature; clinical trial; histopathology; postoperative period; comparative study; cancer grading; tumor localization; oxygen; sarcoma; skin; wound healing; ischemia; predictive value of tests; limb tumor; soft tissue sarcoma; extremities; brachytherapy; oximetry; oxygen consumption; iridium 192; iridium radioisotopes; partial pressure; middle age; surgical wound dehiscence; laser-doppler flowmetry; oxygen inhalation therapy; prognosis; human; male; female; priority journal; article; support, u.s. gov't, p.h.s.; laser doppler flowmetry; blood gas monitoring, transcutaneous
Journal Title: Surgery
Volume: 115
Issue: 3
ISSN: 0039-6060
Publisher: Elsevier Inc.  
Date Published: 1994-03-01
Start Page: 335
End Page: 340
Language: English
PROVIDER: scopus
PUBMED: 8128357
DOI/URL:
Notes: SURGERY -- Cited By :10 -- Export Date: 14 January 2019 -- Article -- CODEN: SURGA C2 - 8128357 -- Source: Scopus
Citation Impact
MSK Authors
  1. Murray F Brennan
    1059 Brennan
  2. Kevin C Conlon
    120 Conlon