498 The Bristol Sign - A Technical Tip to Confirm Skin Flap Vascularity

Introduction In modern medicine, free flap reconstruction has become the gold standard when faced with soft tissue defects. The impressive cosmesis, and adaptability of free flaps means that we can securely state that we are in the era of Plastic Surgery defined by free flap reconstruction. However, as part of free flap reconstruction, clinical monitoring of the flap is a central tenet post-operatively. Different departments have different protocols for this. Method In our unit, it is practice to insert a single interrupted stitch overlying the Doppler site just before dressings. This localises the site of the pedicle for Doppler monitoring, and allows the surgeon to examine the quality of the blood droplets, demonstrating flap perfusion. Results The use of the stitch is considered practical, replicable, and safe, and aids in providing gold standard monitoring post-operatively. The additional analysis of the blood droplet is another sign, in itself, of a healthy flap, and excludes venous congestion. Conclusions The Bristol stitch is a useful adjunct to free flap reconstruction. It’s localisation of the Doppler signal allows medical and nursing staff to confidently approach post-operative monitoring, and the blood elicited by the stitch insertion is a useful sign of flap vascularity and venous status.