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.
Resumen
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.
Por qué esto importa para la hirudoterapia
Este estudio evaluó prospectivamente la espectroscopia de infrarrojo cercano (NIRS) para monitorizar la perfusión tisular en 10 pacientes sometidos a reconstrucción con colgajos libres de perforante epigástrica inferior profunda (DIEP), hallando que la NIRS detectó el compromiso del pedículo antes de la observación clínica sin presentar falsos positivos. El resumen no menciona sanguijuelas, hirudina ni hirudoterapia, y no puede establecerse ninguna conexión defendible con el dominio de la ASH a partir del estudio tal como se describe. Advertencia: el estudio no involucra ninguna sanguijuela ni componente derivado de sanguijuela; además, la muestra es pequeña (10 pacientes), y los autores solicitan ensayos aleatorizados doble ciego de mayor tamaño para establecer la NIRS como modalidad de monitorización ideal.
Citación
Near infrared spectroscopy for monitoring flap viability following breast reconstruction.
Whitaker et al. · Journal of reconstructive microsurgery, 2011
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Añadido a la biblioteca ASH: May 28, 2026 · Última actualización del sitio: 18 de junio de 2026