Complications related to the Cook–Swartz implantable Doppler probe use in head and neck microvascular reconstruction: a systematic review

Purpose: Vascular perfusion research has been dedicated to identify inexpensive, effective, and easy to use methods to assess free flap perfusion for both buried and non-buried flaps. Methods: Systematic review of complications in patients underwent Head and Neck microsurgical reconstruction and vascular implantable Doppler monitoring. Results: Sixteen articles were included for qualitative analysis. 2535 (92.2%) patients received IDP monitorization. Venous thrombosis was the most common vascular complication effecting 28 (1.1%). Regarding complications potentially related to the use of the IDP, just one study described the presence of granuloma formation along the suture line in 2 (0.07%) patients. Conclusions: Our findings indicated that Cook–Swartz IDP will represents a safe and effective device for FF monitoring in HN reconstructive micro-surgery. A detailed prospective registration of the results and complications related to the use of IDP remains mandatory to precisely estimate results, cost, and complications.