The "perfusion map" of the unipedicled TRAM flap to reduce postoperative partial necrosis.
The unipedicled transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous (TRAM) flap is a well-known technique for breast reconstruction. However, it is clinically difficult to evaluate the blood perfusion of the flap in the operating room. A new technique of blood supply evaluation, employing indocyanine green dye (ICG) fluorescence videoangiography has been performed in 10 cases of unipedicled TRAM flap breast reconstruction. In our series, the ICG measurement was demonstrated to be a safe, quick, and accurate technique of flap perfusion analysis. We confirmed the presence of individual pattern ("perfusion map") of the flap perfusion, zone II sometimes not being as well perfused as zone III. In this paper, we present our descriptive findings, and the ICG analysis seems to have a predictive value of unipedicled TRAM flap viability.
Plastic and Reconstructive Division, European Institute of Oncology, Milan, Italy. satoru-y@tkm.att.ne.jp
Satoru
S
Yamaguchi
Francesca
F
De Lorenzi
Jean Yves
JY
Petit
Mario
M
Rietjens
Cristina
C
Garusi
Andrea
A
Giraldo
Pier Carlo
PC
Rey
Cicero
C
Urban
Stefano
S
Martella
Riccardo
R
Bosco
D000328:Adult; D004396:Coloring Agents; D005260:Female; D005451:Fluorescein Angiography; D006085:Graft Survival; D006801:Humans; D007208:Indocyanine Green; D016462:Mammaplasty / Q000379:methods*; D008408:Mastectomy; D008875:Middle Aged; D009336:Necrosis / Q000517:prevention & control; D010477:Perfusion; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D017568:Rectus Abdominis / Q000098:blood supply / Q000637:transplantation*; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000098:blood supply*
D004396:Coloring Agents; D007208:Indocyanine Green