Dynamic Infrared Thermography (DIRT) in DIEP flap breast reconstruction: A clinical study with a standardized...

Breast reconstructions with perforator flaps from the lower abdomen, commonly known as Deep Inferior Epigastric artery Perforator flap (DIEP-flap), have become the golden standard for autologous breast reconstruction after breast amputation. During this surgical procedure multiple challenging steps are encountered such as the selection of a suitable perforator that provides sufficient blood supply for the flap, surgical dissection of the chosen perforator, determination of perfusion area of the chosen perforator, microsurgical anastomosis, flap inset and shaping the flap into a breast. The current gold standard for perforator mapping is Computed Tomography Angiography (CTA). However, this is a relatively expensive imaging modality that requires intravenous contrast injection and exposes patients to ionizing radiation. More recently, Dynamic Infrared Thermography (DIRT) has been proposed as an alternative imaging modality for perforator identification. DIRT appears to be an ideal alternative technique not only for the identification of the dominant perforators, but also for the mapping of the individual influence of each perforator on the flap perfusion, to monitor integrity of the perforator after dissection and to monitor the patency of the pedicle of the free flap after the anastomosis, during flap inset and flap shaping.

In this clinical study we present the results of the use of DIRT in 33 DIEP-flaps in 21 patients after mastectomy. The same standardized measurement set-up was used for all the flaps in the pre-, intra- and postoperative period.

In the pre-operative period DIRT confirmed the location of the 69 perforators shown on the CTA. In the intra-operative period the rate and pattern of rewarming was successfully observed. One perforator was severely damaged during dissection and the DIEP flap was converted to a Muscle Sparing free Transverse Rectus Abdominis Muscle (TRAM) flap, after viability check of the flap by DIRT. DIRT diagnosed one kinking of the pedicle after microsurgical anastomosis. Two flaps were monitored successfully post-operatively. All 33 breast reconstructions were with good outcome.

The use of DIRT with our standardized measurement setup is a useful, non-invasive tool during breast reconstructions with free DIEP-flaps in all the phases of the reconstruction (pre-, intra- and post-operative). This study confirms that DIRT with the standardized measurement setup provides information on perforator location, blood supply and patency of the anastomosis without interference with the operating surgeon.