Near-infrared spectroscopy in autologous breast reconstruction

Autologous breast reconstruction is commonly performed after mastectomy and provides a natural replacement that mimics the native breast. Although current free flap success rates exceed 95%, total flap loss can be devastating for patients. As a result, new technologies have emerged to provide an objective means for flap monitoring, with the hope that vaso-occlusive events can be detected before the clinical manifestation of a microvascular complication and the no-reflow phenomenon. This article focuses on the available data for one new technology, near-infrared spectroscopy, and its current use in clinical practice.