Abstract

In this study, an alternative method of assessing hand vascular flow using a modification of Allen’s test is presented. This technique may be helpful for patients who have immobile hands due to severe trauma, patients scheduled for free tissue transfer reconstruction, patients under general anesthesia in intensive care units that require serial arterial blood gas analyses, and emergency coronary by-pass candidates who decided to receive radial arterial grafts.

Key words: Allen’s test, ulnar artery, radial artery, hand vasculature, capillary refill, Esmarch bandage