Blood flow was measured in the skin flaps of 20 patients who had undergone reconstructive surgery. All flaps were showing clinical signs of deficient circulation. Local blood flow in skin flaps was significantly increased by electrical nerve stimulation (ENS) (p less than 0.001), but not by placebo ENS. Repeated ENS treatment reduced stasis and oedema significantly (p less than 0.001), and the capillary refill was also significantly improved (p less than 0.001).