Background
Perfusion mapping with indocyanine green angiography (ICGA) in breast reconstruction can change intraoperative plans and reduce the risk of flap necrosis. We evaluated the utility of ICGA in the decision to delay reconstruction postmastectomy and its predictive power for necrosis.
Methods
Single-institution retrospective study of implant-based breast reconstructions following mastectomy using ICGA from 2015 to 2021. A decision was made to proceed with immediate reconstruction or delay reconstruction based on clinical assessment and perfusion analysis. Incidence of complications in the immediate and delayed cohorts were assessed. Intraoperative ICGA perfusion values were correlated with postoperative outcomes to calculate diagnostic accuracy.
Results
Three hundred twenty breast reconstructions were performed. Two hundred fifty-nine of these underwent immediate reconstruction, while 61 underwent delayed reconstruction due to poor perfusion. Median time between mastectomy and delayed reconstruction was 7.3 days (range, 4–21 days). All 8 cases (3.1%) of necrosis were in the immediate cohort. Cases of necrosis had significantly lower intraoperative ICGA perfusion values compared to cases without necrosis (absolute values 13.1 versus 27.1 units, p = 0.017). Increasing our ICGA cut-off score for necrosis from 14 to 22 units would have increased sensitivity from 63 to 100% but reduced specificity from 70 to 48%.
Conclusions
Delayed breast reconstruction due to poor perfusion on ICGA resulted in no cases of necrosis. A higher ICGA cut-off score for predicting necrosis is more sensitive but less specific. ICGA is useful as a supplement rather than a substitute for clinical assessment in flap perfusion evaluation.
Level of Evidence Level III, Risk / Diagnostic Study.
Popliteal artery entrapment syndrome (PAES) is a rare but potentially limb threatening anatomical anomaly occurring predominantly in young adults. We report a case of a 14 year old boy who presented with limb threatening ischaemia requiring urgent surgery. The pathology, presentation, and management are discussed. Children with lower limb pain pose a diYcult diagnostic challenge and not infrequently present to the emergency department. The differential diagnosis is quite broad but fortunately few conditions require urgent treatment.
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