Behavior of free jejunal flaps after early disruption of blood supply

We describe three free jejunal flaps that lost their axial blood supply in the early postoperative period—two flaps on the 7th day and the third on the 17th day. At 7 days, reestablishment of axial blood flow was essential to flap survival, whereas after 17 days, vascularization from the recipient bed was adequate to maintain viability. Based on these observations, a conservative approach to flap salvage for cases with pedicle disruption at 17 days or later is recommended.