Near infrared spectroscopy for monitoring flap viability following breast reconstruction.
Research article published in Journal of reconstructive microsurgery (2011)
Abstract
Free flap monitoring is essential to the early detection of compromise thereby increasing the chance of successful salvage surgery. Many alternatives to classical clinical monitoring have been proposed. This study seeks to investigate a relatively new monitoring technology: near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). Patients were recruited prospectively to the study from a single center. During the research period, 10 patients underwent reconstruction with a free deep inferior epigastric perforator flap (DIEP). Measurements of flap perfusion were taken using NIRS in the preoperative and intraoperative phases and postoperatively for 72 hours. NIRS showed characteristic changes in all cases which returned to theater for pedicle compromise. In these cases, NIRS identified pedicle compromise prior to clinical identification. There were no false-positives. NIRS accurately identified all compromised flaps in our study. In most cases, there was an evidence of changes in oxygen saturation on NIRS prior to clinical observation. Further research, ideally double blind randomized control trials with large sample groups would be required to definitively establish NIRS as an ideal flap monitoring modality.
Abstract sourced from PubMed (NCBI) for the cited record. See the original publication for the authoritative version.
Summary
Free flap monitoring is essential to the early detection of compromise thereby increasing the chance of successful salvage surgery. Many alternatives to classical clinical monitoring have been proposed.
Why This Matters for Hirudotherapy
This study prospectively evaluated near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) for monitoring tissue perfusion in 10 patients undergoing reconstruction with free deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flaps, finding that NIRS detected pedicle compromise before clinical observation with no false-positives. The abstract makes no mention of leeches, hirudin, or hirudotherapy, and no defensible connection to ASH's domain can be drawn from the study as described. Caveat: the study involves no leeches or leech-derived components whatsoever; additionally, the sample is small (10 patients), and the authors call for larger double-blind randomized trials to establish NIRS as an ideal monitoring modality.
Citation
Near infrared spectroscopy for monitoring flap viability following breast reconstruction.
Whitaker et al. · Journal of reconstructive microsurgery, 2011
Added to ASH library: May 28, 2026 · Site last updated: June 18, 2026