Use of SPY angiography in tissue assessment for wound healing outcomes after breast reconstruction

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate whether a systematic image assessment protocol using SPY Elite images (LifeCell Corp., US) of viable tissue at the periphery of the surgical field was associated with positive wound healing outcomes following mastectomy and breast reconstruction. Method: Patients undergoing mastectomy and subsequent breast reconstruction surgery at a single tertiary medical centre were included. SPY images were prospectively analysed using a systematic image assessment protocol, and an absolute value of mean fluorescence was calculated by measuring peripheral, in-situ tissue from each image. Patient medical records were retrospectively reviewed for demographics, surgical characteristics and postoperative outcomes. These variables were statistically tested for associations with mean fluorescence. Results: A total of 63 patients were included in the final analysis. We found that objectively determined mean fluorescence values were not statistically significantly associated with postoperative complications. Conclusion: In this study, objectively measured mean fluorescence values representing breast tissue remaining after dissection showed little utility in the assessment of postoperative wound healing outcomes as they did not identify patients who would later have complications of wound healing. Declaration of interest: The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.