Near-infrared image-guided laparoscopic omental flap for breast cancer

Near-infrared (NIR) imaging with indocyanine green (ICG)-enhanced fluorescence is widely used in laparoscopic surgery. This study aimed to evaluate this technique's feasibility and usefulness in intraoperatively assessing vascular perfusion in a laparoscopically harvested omental flap.

From March 2015 to February 2016, we prospectively evaluated patients undergoing breast cancer surgery followed by immediate breast reconstruction using a laparoscopically harvested omental flap. After laparoscopic preparation of the pedicled graft, the perfusion area of the omental graft was evaluated by using intraoperative Doppler ultrasonography and NIR imaging with intravenous ICG injection. Graft viability was evaluated by using Doppler ultrasonography 2 days postoperatively; for cosmetic outcome, Breast Cancer Conservative Treatment Cosmetic Results software was used 1 month postoperatively.

The laparoscopic harvesting of an omental flap was successfully performed in eight patients without conversion to open surgery. The mean time to the initial detection of ICG-enhanced fluorescence uptake was 3.25 ± 1.16 minutes. On intraoperative Doppler ultrasonography, a pulseless area ≥10% was detected in five patients (62.5%). However, NIR imaging revealed no patients had an ischemic portion ≥10%. There were no ICG-related intraoperative or postoperative complications. All patients showed patent vessels on Doppler ultrasonography 2 days postoperatively. Cosmetic outcomes were mostly favorable 1 month postoperatively. The Breast Cancer Conservative Treatment Cosmetic Results evaluation 1 month postoperatively showed excellent, good, and fair results, with no poor scores. With regard to vascular perfusion, ICG-enhanced NIR imaging is a feasible and useful tool for harvesting a laparoscopic omental flap in breast cancer patients.