Head and neck pedicled flap autonomization using a new high-resolution indocyanine green fluorescence video-angiography device

In head and neck oncologic surgery a reconstructive phase is often required and pedicled flaps are still a viable option, though they may need a pedicle division performed at a later stage. Several techniques are commonly used for perfusion assessment of the flaps, with indocyanine green (ICG) fluorescence video-angiography representing a promising tool. We used ICG video-angiography to evaluate the perfusion of two of the most commonly adopted pedicled flaps in the head and neck field (the supraclavicular and the paramedian forehead flap) before and after second-stage pedicle division, allowing a safer in-setting. Moreover, the new high-resolution device that we have employed added further accuracy to the traditional video-angiography, providing a real-time flap-to-normal skin ICG ratio. Indeed, ICG video-angiography proved to be a useful tool in head and neck reconstructive surgery and it may allow an earlier second-stage pedicle division.

Abstract sourced from PubMed (NCBI) for the cited record. See the original publication for the authoritative version.

Peer-reviewed clinical and outcomes research relevant to anticoagulation, leech therapy, and microsurgical flap management. Indexed in PubMed and verified against the NCBI record.

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