Laser-based Techniques for Microcirculatory Assessment in Orthopedics and Trauma Surgery: Past, Present, and Future

: Microcirculatory integrity and proper function are the cornerstones to tissue nourishment and viability. In the clinical environment extended immobility, injuries, and inflammatory reactions demand local microcirculatory adaption to provide adequate supply. Assessment of endothelial adjustment capability and microcirculatory perfusion status, as direct or surrogate markers of disease, are therefore of uttermost interest to the treating physician. Given the simple, noninvasive, nonradiating nature of laser-based techniques for bedside or intraoperative microcirculatory perfusion assessment, this article's objective is to present a comprehensive overview of available techniques, their technological aspects, and current application. Advantages of individual methods are pointed out and compared with each other. The areas of medical utilization relevant to orthopedics and trauma surgery are exemplified and their available evidence elaborated. A particular focus is put on laser speckle contrast imaging, with its current and future influence on medical practice.