Events during ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury include: neutrophil-mediated endothelial cytotoxicity and activation, generation of free radicals, triggering of cytokines and chemokines, and activation of adhesion molecules and complement system. This article briefly reviews events occurring during tissue ischemia and reperfusion in relation to free tissue transfers. The consequences of tissue damage at the microcirculatory level are presented. Preventive measures of I/R injury are outlined.
(c) 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc.