Point-of-care tissue oxygenation assessment with SnapshotNIR for alloplastic and autologous breast reconstruction

UNLABELLED: In breast reconstruction, mastectomy and free flaps are susceptible to vascular compromise and tissue necrosis. The SnapshotNIR device (Kent Imaging, Calgary, AB, Canada) utilizes near-infrared spectroscopy to measure tissue oxygen saturation (StO METHODS: Patients receiving immediate alloplastic reconstruction after mastectomy or autologous reconstruction were enrolled. Preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative images were taken of the flaps. StO RESULTS: Thirty-two breasts underwent alloplastic reconstruction; 38 breasts underwent autologous reconstruction. No enrollees developed skin necrosis. StO CONCLUSIONS: The SnapshotNIR device detected normal spatial and temporal differences in tissue oxygenation over the operative course of alloplastic and autologous breast reconstruction. A multi-institutional, prospective clinical trial is needed to determine the sensitivity and specificity of this device for detecting skin flap necrosis