PURPOSE: Knowledge of how blood perfusion is affected during and after reconstructive surgery is of great importance to predict the survival of grafts and flaps. When commonly used reconstructive procedures were developed a century ago, they were based on empirical observations of clinical outcome.METHODS: This is a comprehensive literature review that summarizes the current state of knowledge regarding microvascular perfusion monitoring during oculoplastic procedures.RESULTS: Over the years, a number of techniques for perfusion monitoring have been developed as an attempt to be more objective than clinical examination using traditional methods such as observations of skin temperature, turgor, color, smell, and capillary refill time. There are limited publications regarding microvascular perfusion monitoring during reconstructive procedures in the periocular area. Modern laser-based techniques have been attractive due to their noninvasive nature.CONCLUSIONS: Today, modern, noninvasive techniques are available to monitor perfusion during and after surgery. This has increased our knowledge on the perfusion in common oculoplastic surgery procedures. A detailed understanding of how blood perfusion is affected will hopefully allow the improvement of surgical techniques for better clinical outcome.
