When to assess the DIEP flap perfusion by intraoperative indocyanine green angiography in breast reconstruction?

[Cytosteatonecrosis after breast reconstruction by fat flap with or without ischemic preconditioning]

INTRODUCTION

Cytosteatonecrosis (CTN) is a frequent postoperative complication after breast autologous reconstruction using DIEP (deep inferior epigastric perforator) flap. CTN radiological diagnostic reveals different types of lesions, as nodes or extended fat necrosis, which become in some cases infected, or pass for tumor recurrence after breast cancer treatment. CTN is caused by intraoperative ischemia of the flap, and no current method can prevent postoperative CTN development after DIEP breast reconstruction. Mechanical ischemic preconditioning, consisting in intraoperative briefs consecutive cycles of ischemia reperfusion using vascular clamp upon the graft pedicle, is used in transplantation surgery. This procedure improves the graft tolerance towards ischemic surgical lesions. The aim of this retrospective observational study was to assess PCIM effects on CTN development after DIEP surgery, comparing CTN occurrence after breast reconstruction using DIEP flap with or without intraoperative PCIM.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

All patients breats reconstructed using DIEP flap between novembre 2020 and may 2022, presenting 6 months postoperative breast echography were retrospectively included. Primary outcome was the ultrasonic existence of CTN, according to the Wagner classification. Clinical data, postoperative outcomes such as infection, hematoma or surgical revision, and length of stay in hospital were also recorded.

RESULTS

Twenty nine patients among which 8 PCIM were included. CTN occurrence rate after PCIM (25%) was quite lower than CTN rate without PCIM (71,4%), although the difference was not significant (P=0,088). Other postoperative complications rates were not significantly different with or without PCIM.

CONCLUSION

PCIM seems to improve CTN occurrence after DIEP breast reconstruction, improving fat flap tolerance to ischemic perioperative lesions. Those preliminary results need to be confirmed with clinical prospective study.

Flap perfusion assessment with indocyanine green angiography in deep inferior epigastric perforator flap breast reconstruction: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Indocyanine green angiography (ICG-A) has been widely applied for intraoperative flap assessment in DIEP flap breast reconstruction. However, the beneficial effect of ICG-A in DIEP flap breast reconstruction is still uncertain and no standardized protocol is available. This study aims to analyze the clinical outcome and comprehensively review protocols of this field.

METHODS

A systematic review was conducted in MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane CENTRAL databases until September 15, 2022. Studies on the utility of intraoperative ICG-A in DIEP breast reconstruction were included. Data reporting reconstruction outcomes were extracted for pooled analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 22 studies were enrolled in the review, among five studies with 1021 patients included in the meta-analysis. The protocols of ICG-A assessment of DIEP flap varied among studies. According to the pooled results, the incidence of postoperative fat necrosis was 10.89% (50 of 459 patients) with ICG-A and 21.53% (121 of 562 patients) with clinical judgment. The risk for postoperative fat necrosis was significantly lower in patients with intraoperative ICG-A than without (RR 0.47 95% CI 0.29-0.78, p = .004, I2  = 51%). Reoperation occurred in 5 of 48 patients (10.42%) in the ICG-A group and in 21 of 64 patients (32.82%) in the control group summarized from reports in two studies. The risk for reoperation was lower in the ICG-A group than in the control group (RR 0.41 95% CI 0.18-0.93, p = .03, I2  = 0%). Other complications, including flap loss, seroma, hematoma, dehiscence, mastectomy skin necrosis, and infection, were comparable between the two groups. Heterogeneities among studies were acceptable. No significant influence of specific studies was identified in sensitivity analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

ICG-A is an accurate and reliable way to identify problematic perfusion of DIEP flaps during breast reconstruction. Protocols of ICG-A differed in current studies. Intraoperative ICG-A significantly decreases the rate of fat necrosis and reoperation in patients undergoing DIEP breast reconstruction. The synthesized results should be interpreted sensibly due to the sample size limitation. RCTs on the outcomes and high-quality studies for an optimized ICG-A protocol are still needed in the future.

Fluorescence Imaging to Identify and Preserve Fifth Intercostal Sensory Nerves during Bilateral Nipple-sparing Mastectomies

The use of nipple-sparing mastectomies has increased steadily over the past 10-15 years. However, one major source of patient dissatisfaction with both skin- and nipple-sparing mastectomies is lost skin and/or nipple sensation postoperatively due to intraoperative, iatrogenic sensory nerve injury. We summarize the case of a 41-year-old woman with BRCA(+) breast cancer who underwent bilateral, risk-reducing nipple-sparing mastectomies, immediately followed by bilateral, direct-to-implant breast reconstruction, in whom a prototype fluorescent imaging camera was used to facilitate sensory nerve identification and preservation. Preoperatively, tactile and thermal quantitative sensory testing were performed using a 30-gauge needle to determine baseline sensory function over both breasts. Then, nipple-sparing mastectomies and direct-to-implant reconstruction were performed. Using a laterally-displaced submammary approach, the anterior intercostal artery perforator neurovascular pedicle was preserved. Then a prototype camera, which emits near-ultraviolet light, was used to detect nerve autofluorescence. Intraoperatively under near-ultraviolet light, both the fifth intercostal nerve and its sensory branches auto-fluoresced clearly, so that surgery was completed without apparent injury to the fifth intercostal nerve or any of its branches. Postoperatively, the patient reported full sensory function throughout both breasts and both nipple-areolar complexes, which was confirmed on both tactile and thermal sensory testing at 3-month follow-up. The patient experienced no complications and rated her overall satisfaction with surgery on both breasts as 10 out of 10. To our knowledge, this is the first time sensory nerve auto-fluorescence has been reported to reduce the likelihood of intraoperative, iatrogenic nerve injury and preserve sensory function.

Delphi survey of intercontinental experts to identify areas of consensus on the use of indocyanine green angiography for tissue perfusion assessment during plastic and reconstructive surgery

BACKGROUND

In recent years, indocyanine green angiography (ICG-A) has been used increasingly to assist tissue perfusion assessments during plastic and reconstructive surgery procedures, but no guidelines exist regarding its use. We sought to identify areas of consensus and non-consensus among international experts on the use of ICG-A for tissue-perfusion assessments during plastic and reconstructive surgery.

METHODS

A two-round, online Delphi survey was conducted of 22 international experts from four continents asking them to vote on 79 statements divided into five modules: module 1 = patient preparation and contraindications (n = 11 statements); module 2 = ICG administration and camera settings (n = 17); module 3 = other factors impacting perfusion assessments (n = 10); module 4 = specific indications, including trauma debridement (n = 9), mastectomy skin flaps (n = 6), and free flap reconstruction (n = 8); and module 5 = general advantages and disadvantages, training, insurance coverage issues, and future directions (n = 18). Consensus was defined as ≥70% inter-voter agreement.

RESULTS

Consensus was reached on 73/79 statements, including the overall value, advantages, and limitations of ICG-A in numerous surgical settings; also, on the dose (0.05 mg/kg) and timing of ICG administration (∼20-60 seconds preassessment) and best camera angle (61-90^o) and target-to-tissue distance (20-30 cm). However, consensus also was reached that camera angle and distance can vary, depending on the make of camera, and that further research is necessary to technically optimize this imaging tool. The experts also agreed that ambient light, patient body temperature, and vasopressor use impact perfusion assessments.

CONCLUSION

ICG-A aids perfusion assessments during plastic and reconstructive surgery and should no longer be considered experimental. It has become an important surgical tool.

Use of fluorescence imaging and indocyanine green during laparoscopic cholecystectomy: Results of an international Delphi survey

BACKGROUND

Published empirical data have increasingly suggested that using near-infrared fluorescence cholangiography during laparoscopic cholecystectomy markedly increases biliary anatomy visualization. The technology is rapidly evolving, and different equipment and doses may be used. We aimed to identify areas of consensus and nonconsensus in the use of incisionless near-infrared fluorescent cholangiography during laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

METHODS

A 2-round Delphi survey was conducted among 28 international experts in minimally invasive surgery and near-infrared fluorescent cholangiography in 2020, during which respondents voted on 62 statements on patient preparation and contraindications (n = 12); on indocyanine green administration (n = 14); on potential advantages and uses of near-infrared fluorescent cholangiography (n = 18); comparing near-infrared fluorescent cholangiography with intraoperative x-ray cholangiography (n = 7); and on potential disadvantages of and required training for near-infrared fluorescent cholangiography (n = 11).

RESULTS

Expert consensus strongly supports near-infrared fluorescent cholangiography superiority over white light for the visualization of biliary structures and reduction of laparoscopic cholecystectomy risks. It also offers other advantages like enhancing anatomic visualization in obese patients and those with moderate to severe inflammation. Regarding indocyanine green administration, consensus was reached that dosing should be on a milligrams/kilogram basis, rather than as an absolute dose, and that doses >0.05 mg/kg are necessary. Although there is no consensus on the optimum preoperative timing of indocyanine green injections, the majority of participants consider it important to administer indocyanine green at least 45 minutes before the procedure to decrease the light intensity of the liver.

CONCLUSION

Near-infrared fluorescent cholangiography experts strongly agree on its effectiveness and safety during laparoscopic cholecystectomy and that it should be used routinely, but further research is necessary to establish optimum timing and doses for indocyanine green.

Intraoperative fluorescence imaging in different surgical fields: Consensus among 140 intercontinental experts

BACKGROUND

Despite exponentially growing evidence supporting the use of intraoperative fluorescence imaging + indocyanine green dye, considerable variability exists in how and when it is used, and no published consensus guidelines exist. We have conducted Delphi surveys of international experts in the use of intraoperative fluorescence imaging covering 6 distinct surgical scenarios: laparoscopic cholecystectomy; colorectal, lymphedema, gastric cancer, and plastic surgery; and thyroid and parathyroid resections. Although each survey asked experts to vote on field-specific consensus statements, they also had 29 shared statements to permit some analysis spanning the 6 specialties. This article summarizes these results.

METHODS

Data on the 29 shared statements from 6 two-round Delphi consensus surveys were compiled to identify areas of overall consensus and compare the different specialties. As with the individual surveys, consensus was defined as ≥70% intervoter agreement.

RESULTS

Among 140 participating experts, overall consensus was achieved on 16 statements, including strong agreement that using indocyanine green is extremely safe, that it can be used even when informed written consent cannot be provided, that it significantly enhances anatomical visualization and impacts how procedures are performed, and that it significantly reduces overall procedural risk. However, indocyanine green dosing and timing are procedure-specific, with considerable variability persisting for some applications, and the overall consensus is that further research is necessary to optimize this facet of intraoperative fluorescence imaging.

CONCLUSION

Fluorescence imaging is gaining traction across multiple surgical specialties as an invaluable intraoperative tool. Its use in clinical practice and research seems destined to increase.

Use of fluorescence imaging during lymphatic surgery: A Delphi survey of experts worldwide

BACKGROUND

Fluorescence imaging with indocyanine green is increasingly used during lymphedema patient management. However, to date, no guidelines exist on when it should and should not be used or how it should be performed. Our objective was to have an international panel of experts identify areas of consensus and nonconsensus in current attitudes and practices in fluorescence imaging with indocyanine green use during lymphedema surgery patient management.

METHODS

A 2-round Delphi study was conducted involving 18 experts in the use of fluorescence imaging during lymphatic surgery, all asked to vote on 49 statements on patient preparation and contraindications (n = 7 statements), indocyanine green dosing and administration (n = 10), fluorescence imaging uses and potential advantages (n = 16), and potential disadvantages and training needs (n = 16).

RESULTS

Consensus ultimately was reached on 40/49 statements, including consistent consensus regarding the value of fluorescence imaging with indocyanine green in almost all facets of lymphedema patient management, including early detection, assessing disease extent, preoperative work-up, surgical planning, intraoperative guidance, monitoring short- and longer-term outcomes, quality control, and resident training. All experts felt it was very safe, while 94% felt it should be part of routine care and that indocyanine green was superior to colored dyes and ultrasound. Nonetheless, there also was consensus that limited high-quality evidence remains a barrier to its widespread use and that patients should still be provided with specific information and asked to sign specific consent for both fluorescence imaging and indocyanine green.

CONCLUSION

Fluorescence imaging with or without indocyanine green appears to have several roles in lymphedema prevention, diagnosis, assessment, and treatment.

[Breast Reconstruction Strategies in Case of Planned Radiotherapy]

INTRODUCTION

The ideal technical and chronological approach of breast reconstruction in case of planned radiotherapy after mastectomy (post-mastectomy radiotherapy, PMRT) continues to be controversially discussed.

METHODS

The authors analysed the MEDLINE Database PubMed for relevant studies concerning PMRT and breast reconstruction. The main theses from these publications were extracted and summarised.

RESULTS

An implant-based approach is the least invasive technique for immediate breast-mound formation in a PMRT setting. Reconstruction in a PMRT setting with a two-stage expander-implant technique or expander-implant-autologous procedure can provide good to excellent cosmetic outcomes. In contrast to the implant-based approach, autologous reconstruction methods provide an improved quality of life as well as haptic and sensory advantages and are usually associated with lower complication rates. PMRT after autologous reconstruction can have a negative impact on the autologous tissue. A delayed autologous approach can be advantageous and should be generally favoured in high-risk patients.

CONCLUSION

Factors influencing a meticulous planning of breast reconstruction including PMRT are surgical, aesthetic and patient characteristics, quality of life, preference and expectation. Ideally, PMRT is completed before autologous reconstruction to avoid radiation-associated side-effects on the final reconstructive result. If PMRT is likely, but potentially not necessary, an immediate-delayed procedure may be of advantage.

The Impact of Indocyanine Green Angiography on Fat Necrosis in Deep Inferior Epigastric Perforator Flap Breast Reconstruction

BACKGROUND

The deep inferior epigastric perforator flap (DIEP) is a widely known reliable option for autologous breast reconstruction. One common complication of DIEP procedures is fat necrosis. Consequences of fat necrosis include wound healing complications, pain, infection, and the psychological distress of possible cancerous recurrence. Clinical judgment alone is an imperfect method to detect at-risk segments of adipose tissue. Objective methods to assess perfusion may improve fat necrosis complication rates, reducing additional surgeries to exclude cancer and improve cosmesis for patients.

METHODS

The authors performed a retrospective review of patients who underwent analysis of DIEP flap vascularity with or without intraoperative indocyanine green angiography (ICGA). Flap perfusion was assessed using intravenous ICGA and was quantified with both relative and absolute value units of fluorescence. Tissue with observed values less than 25% to 30% relative value units was resected. Postoperative outcomes and fat necrosis incidence were collected.

RESULTS

Three hundred fifty-five DIEP flaps were included in the study, 187 (52.7%) of which were assessed intraoperatively with ICGA. Thirty-nine patients (10.9%) experienced operable fat necrosis. No statistically significant difference in incidence of postoperative fat necrosis was found between the 2 groups (P = 0.732). However, a statistically significant relationship was found between fat necrosis incidence and body mass index as both a continuum (P = 0.001) and when categorized as greater than 35 (P = 0.038).

CONCLUSIONS

Although ICGA is useful for a variety of plastic surgery procedures, our retrospective review did not show a reduction in operable fat necrosis when using this technology.

Consensus Conference Statement on the General Use of Near-infrared Fluorescence Imaging and Indocyanine Green Guided Surgery: Results of a Modified Delphi Study

BACKGROUND

In recent decades, the use of near-infrared light and fluorescence-guidance during open and laparoscopic surgery has exponentially expanded across various clinical settings. However, tremendous variability exists in how it is performed.

OBJECTIVE

In this first published survey of international experts on fluorescence-guided surgery, we sought to identify areas of consensus and nonconsensus across 4 areas of practice: fundamentals; patient selection/preparation; technical aspects; and effectiveness and safety.

METHODS

A Delphi survey was conducted among 19 international experts in fluorescence-guided surgery attending a 1-day consensus meeting in Frankfurt, Germany on September 8th, 2019. Using mobile phones, experts were asked to anonymously vote over 2 rounds of voting, with 70% and 80% set as a priori thresholds for consensus and vote robustness, respectively.

RESULTS

Experts from 5 continents reached consensus on 41 of 44 statements, including strong consensus that near-infrared fluorescence-guided surgery is both effective and safe across a broad variety of clinical settings, including the localization of critical anatomical structures like vessels, detection of tumors and sentinel nodes, assessment of tissue perfusion and anastomotic leaks, delineation of segmented organs, and localization of parathyroid glands. Although the minimum and maximum safe effective dose of ICG were felt to be 1 to 2 mg and >10 mg, respectively, there was strong consensus that determining the optimum dose, concentration, route and timing of ICG administration should be an ongoing research focus.

CONCLUSIONS

Although fluorescence imaging was almost unanimously perceived to be both effective and safe across a broad range of clinical settings, considerable further research remains necessary to optimize its use.

Comparison of nine methods of immediate breast reconstruction after resection of localized breast cancer: A cost-effectiveness Markov decision analysis of prospective studies

BACKGROUND

Women undergoing immediate breast reconstruction without radiation therapy have reconstruction methods available with uncertain long-term costs associated with complications requiring surgery and revisions. We evaluated cost-effectiveness of nine methods of immediate breast reconstruction for women with localized breast cancer.

METHODS

Markov modeling was performed over 10-years for unilateral/bilateral breast reconstructions from healthcare/societal perspectives. PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, Scopus, and CINAHL were searched to derive data from 13,744 patients in 79 prospective studies. Complications requiring surgery (mastectomy necrosis, total/partial flap necrosis, seroma, hematoma, infection, wound dehiscence, abdominal hernia, implant removal/explantation) and revisions (fat necrosis, capsular contracture, asymmetry, scars/redundant tissue, implant rupture/removal, fat grafting) were evaluated over yearly cycles. Reconstructions included: direct-to-implant (DTI), tissue expander-to-implant (TEI), latissimus dorsi flap-to-implant (LDI), latissimus dorsi (LD), pedicled transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous (TRAM), free TRAM, deep inferior epigastric perforator/superficial inferior epigastric artery (DIEP/SIEA), thigh-based, or gluteal based flaps. Outcomes were incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICER) and net monetary benefits (NMB). Willingness-to-pay thresholds were $50,000 and $100,000.

RESULTS

From a healthcare perspective for unilateral reconstruction, compared to LD, the ICER for DTI was -$42,109.35/quality-adjusted life-years (QALY), LDI was -$25,300.83/QALY, TEI was -$22,036.02/QALY, DIEP/SIEA was $8307.65/QALY, free TRAM was $8677.26/QALY, pedicled TRAM was $13,021.44/QALY, gluteal-based was $17,698.99/QALY, and thigh-based was $23,447.82/QALY. NMB of DIEP/SIEA was $404,523.47, free TRAM was $403,821.40, gluteal-based was $392,478.64, thigh-based was $387,691.70, pedicled TRAM was $376,901.83, LD was $370,646.93, DTI was $339,668.77, LDI was $334,350.30, and TEI was $329,265.84.

CONCLUSIONS

All nine methods of immediate breast reconstruction were considered cost-effective from healthcare/societal perspectives. LD provided the lowest costs, while DIEP/SIEA provided the greatest effectiveness and NMB.

Use of Indocyanine Green Angiography decreases the risk of complications in autologous- and implant-based breast reconstruction: A systematic review and meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION

Indocyanine Green Angiography (ICG-A) is an imaging technique used to visualize tissue perfusion in real time. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to evaluate all published papers on breast reconstruction using ICG-A, which provides information on complication rates and to investigate whether the use of this peroperative method decreases the risk of complications.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

MEDLINE/PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane, and UpToDate were searched using relevant terms. The literature was assessed using the PRISMA guidelines. Inclusion criteria were: original articles written in English assessing ICG-angiography in breast reconstruction. The individual studies were evaluated according to Cochrane guidelines.

RESULTS

The search yielded 243 papers on ICG-A and breast reconstruction. Twenty-six of these were included for analysis. The risk of overall major complications ([OR] = 0.53, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.43-0.66, p = 0.00001) and overall loss of reconstruction ([OR] = 0.58, 95% CI = 0.37-0.92, and p = 0.020) was significantly lower when peroperative ICG-A was used. When using ICG-A to evaluate mastectomy flaps, a statistically lower risk of major complications ([OR] = 0.56 and p = 0.0001) and the loss of reconstruction was found ([OR] = 0.46, p = 0.006). ICG-A used in autologous breast reconstruction significantly reduced the risk of minor ([OR] = 0.62 and p = 0.001) and major complications ([OR] = 0.53 and p = 0.0028).

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first systematic review to analyze the use of ICG-A on both mastectomy flaps and autologous reconstruction. The results obtained in the current study indicate that the use of ICG-A in breast reconstructive procedures reduces the complications as well as the loss of reconstruction.

Effects of intravenous injection of indocyanine green on the oxygen reserve index (ORi™)

PURPOSE

The oxygen reserve index (ORi™) is a parameter used for the noninvasive evaluation of arterial partial pressure of oxygen (PaO₂), specifically in the 100-200 mmHg range. We aimed to report on the impact of indocyanine green (ICG) on the ORi™.

METHODS

In this study, we retrospectively examined patients who underwent neurosurgery between April and July 2019 and assessed the impact of ICG on ORi™. We excluded patients who did not use ICG or who were not examined for ORi™. The dose and timing of ICG administration were determined by a neurosurgeon. The changes in ORi™ were measured for up to 30 min.

RESULTS

We analyzed ten patients and found that the ORi™ increased to 1.00 in all of them. The median time for ORi ™ to rise to 1.00 after ICG administration was 2 min (range 1-4). After rising to 1.00, ORi ™ decreased and took 27 min to return to the pre-dose value.

CONCLUSION

It is important to consider the initial rapid increase and subsequent slow decrease in ORi™ when using ICG during surgery.