Simple monitoring technique for muscle flaps

A simple monitoring technique for the detection of postoperative arterial flow failure in muscle flaps is described. The technique consists of isolating a musculocutaneous perforator on elevation of a muscle flap. This cutaneous perforator is observed for pulsation in the postoperative period. Abrupt cessation prior to 48 hours should be an indicator for prompt clinical evaluation of the muscle flap by an experienced microsurgeon to rule out arterial thrombosis. © 1995 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.