title: The value of dynamic infrared thermography (DIRT) in perforatorselection and planning of free DIEP flaps.
abstract: The aim of this paper is to evaluate dynamic infrared thermography (DIRT) as a technique to assist in preoperative perforator selection and planning of free deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flaps. Twenty-seven patients, scheduled for secondary autologous breast reconstruction with either a free DIEP flap or superficial inferior epigastric artery flap, were included in this prospective clinical study. Preoperative mapping of perforators was performed with a hand-held Doppler and DIRT. A multidetector computer tomography scan was additionally carried out in the last 8 patients. In 23 patients a DIEP flap was used. The perforator as selected from DIRT was a suitable perforator in all DIEP flaps. The location and quality of the selected perforator from DIRT corresponded well with the multidetector computer tomography scan results. Preoperative perforator selection and planning of DIEP flaps is facilitated with the use of DIRT. The technique is noninvasive and easy to use.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic Surgery and Hand Surgery, University Hospital North Norway, Tromsø, Norway. louis.deweerd@unn.no
authors.forename: Louis
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: de Weerd
authors.forename: Sven
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Weum
authors.forename: James B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Mercer
mesh_terms: D000005:Abdomen / Q000601:surgery; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D019074:Epigastric Arteries; D004954:Esthetics; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006084:Graft Rejection; D006085:Graft Survival; D006801:Humans; D016462:Mammaplasty / Q000379:methods*; D008408:Mastectomy / Q000379:methods; D008866:Microsurgery / Q000379:methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011182:Postoperative Care / Q000379:methods; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000503:physiopathology; D011300:Preoperative Care / Q000379:methods; D018570:Risk Assessment; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000098:blood supply*; D014182:Transplantation, Autologous; D016896:Treatment Outcome