Imaging human skin autograft integration with optical coherence tomography

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Medical Imaging
• Dermatology

Background:

• Skin autografting is crucial for reconstructive surgery.
• Non-invasive monitoring of skin graft vascular and structural features is limited.
• This study explores optical coherence tomography (OCT) and OCT-based angiography (OCTA) for graft assessment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To demonstrate the potential of OCT/OCTA for non-invasive imaging and monitoring of human skin graft health.
• To evaluate graft integration and vascularization over time post-surgery.
• To provide quantitative data on structural and vascular parameters.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a clinical prototype OCT system to acquire OCT/OCTA images from split-thickness skin grafts.
• Images were obtained from multiple locations and time points with a ~9 mm × 9 mm field of view and ~1.5 mm penetration depth.
• Quantitative measurements included layer thickness, vascular area density, and diameter.

Main Results:

• Successfully imaged and measured vascular and structural features in graft and integration layers.
• Monitored revascularization, healing, and integration in two patients.
• Patient #1 showed a ~50% decrease in integration layer thickness between 7 and 16 days post-surgery.
• Patient #2 exhibited a ~20% increase in vascular area density between 6 and 14 days post-surgery.

Conclusions:

• Preliminary findings suggest OCT/OCTA is clinically viable for imaging and measuring skin graft features.
• This non-invasive technology offers novel applications for improving surgical practices.
• OCT/OCTA can aid in enhancing clinical outcomes for skin graft recipients.