Monitoring Breast Reconstruction Flaps Using Near-Infrared Spectroscopy Tissue Oximetry

Free flap reconstruction is a common procedure with success rates greater than 99%. However, vascular complications may occur, resulting in flap failure. For this reason, early detection of vascular compromise is crucial for flap salvage. Vascular complications may be detected early by monitoring tissue oximetry parameter changes using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). This method of noninvasive monitoring can evaluate changes in flap oxygenation levels caused by arterial and venous thrombosis before surgical reexploration. The goal of this study was to assess the validity of using NIRS oximetry for monitoring free flaps. We conducted a prospective cohort observational study of 10 patients undergoing breast reconstruction. We used the INVOS 7100 cerebral oximetry monitoring system (Medtronic, Dublin, Ireland) to provide 24-hr continuous postoperative monitoring of flap perfusion and compared the data with clinical assessment findings. The median patient age was 57 years (range = 41-61 years). Patients underwent immediate breast reconstruction with deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap surgery (n = 4), delayed reconstruction with DIEP flap surgery (n = 4), transverse upper gracilis flap surgery (n = 1), and latissimus dorsi flap with lipofilling (n = 1). We successfully monitored all 10 flaps for 24 hr postoperatively. The overall flap survival rate was 100%. Findings of clinical examination, Doppler studies, and surgical outcome were consistent with NIRS monitoring. In conclusion, NIRS tissue oximetry could potentially provide a noninvasive method for effective postoperative monitoring of free flaps.