Monitoring of Soft Tissue Autograft Perfusion after Delayed Breast Reconstruction

Microsurgical breast reconstruction using free autograft is a promising method for the reconstructive and restorative phase of complex breast cancer treatment. Maintaining autograft viability in the postoperative period is a serious clinical challenge. Loss of flap viability can be caused by hematoma formation and subsequent critical reduction in autograft perfusion. Flap perfusion monitoring is crucial for early decision-making regarding revision surgery. Several methods exist for assessing flap perfusion, such as clinical examination, color duplex ultrasound, or flap thermometry. We present a clinical case of a patient whose flap perfusion was monitored using near-infrared spectroscopy, which allows for non-invasive, continuous monitoring of tissue oxygenation.