Evaluation of Flap Tissue Viability by F-18 FDG PET/CT

摘要

A 60-year-old man underwent vertical rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap to reconstruct a left lateral chest wall defect. For assessment of viability of muscle flap, F-18 fluoro-2-deoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) was performed 15 days after surgery. The FDG PET/CT showed a small metabolic defect in the left lateral chest wall. During follow-up, necrotic change of the graft was observed, and the site was in accordance with the area where the metabolic defect was observed in the FDG PET/CT. As a result, debridement and wound closure was performed. This case suggested that the FDG PET/CT should be a useful method for the monitoring of muscle viability after flap surgery.