Background
Evaluate imaging photoplethysmography (iPPG) as a novel noninvasive technique to assess flap perfusion in head and neck free flap reconstructive (FFR) surgeries.

Methods
Intraoperative iPPG was performed in 17 patients undergoing FFR surgery. Imaging consisted of a 30-s video from which perfusion maps were extracted, providing detailed information about blood flow and pulsatility in the flap microvasculature. During each procedure, iPPG acquisitions were acquired representing distinct perfusion conditions of the flap (fully perfused/ischemic/reperfused). When possible, postoperative measurements were performed to assess flap recovery during the critical time period (3 days) and long-term follow-up (30 days).

Results
Perfusion maps, displaying iPPG amplitude and delay times, correlated strongly (p < 0.001) with the perfusion status of the tissue. One case of postoperative thrombosis, leading to flap failure, was identified with iPPG. After surgical revision in this case, flap perfusion was restored and confirmed by iPPG. Postoperative follow-up imaging allowed for objective visualization of flap recovery short term (3 days) and up to 30 days after the surgical procedure.

Conclusions
This study shows that iPPG is suitable for objective and noninvasive assessment of flap perfusion in head and neck FFR surgery. In addition, postoperative monitoring shows potential for assessing flap perfusion in patients with increased risk of postoperative complications.@en

Introduction: Anastomotic leakage after gastrointestinal surgery has a high impact on patient's quality of life and its origin is associated with inadequate perfusion. Imaging photoplethysmography (iPPG) is a noninvasive imaging technique that measures blood-volume changes in the microvascular tissue bed and detects changes in tissue perfusion. Materials and methods: Intraoperative iPPG imaging was performed in 29 patients undergoing an open segment resection of the small intestine or colon. During each surgery, imaging was performed on fully perfused (true positives) and ischemic intestines (true negatives) and the anastomosis (unknowns). Imaging consisted of a 30-s video from which perfusion maps were extracted, providing detailed information about blood flow within the intestine microvasculature. To detect the predictive capabilities of iPPG, true positive and true negative perfusion conditions were used to develop two different perfusion classification methods. Results: iPPG-derived perfusion parameters were highly correlated with perfusion—perfused or ischemic—in intestinal tissues. A perfusion confidence map distinguished perfused and ischemic intestinal tissues with 96% sensitivity and 86% specificity. Anastomosis images were scored as adequately perfused in 86% of cases and 14% inconclusive. The cubic-Support Vector Machine achieved 90.9% accuracy and an area under the curve of 96%. No anastomosis-related postoperative complications were encountered in this study. Conclusions: This study shows that noninvasive intraoperative iPPG is suitable for the objective assessment of small intestine and colon anastomotic perfusion. In addition, two perfusion classification methods were developed, providing the first step in an intestinal perfusion prediction model.

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Surgical excision is the golden standard for treatment of intestinal tumors. In this surgical procedure, inadequate perfusion of the anastomosis can lead to postoperative complications, such as anastomotic leakages. Imaging photoplethysmography (iPPG) can potentially provide objective and real-time feedback of the perfusion status of tissues. This feasibility study aims to evaluate an iPPG acquisition system during intestinal surgeries to detect the perfusion levels of the microvasculature tissue bed in different perfusion conditions. This feasibility study assesses three patients that underwent resection of a portion of the small intestine. Data was acquired from fully perfused, non-perfused and anastomosis parts of the intestine during different phases of the surgical procedure. Strategies for limiting motion and noise during acquisition were implemented. iPPG perfusion maps were successfully extracted from the intestine microvasculature, demonstrating that iPPG can be successfully used for detecting perturbations and perfusion changes in intestinal tissues during surgery. This study provides proof of concept for iPPG to detect changes in organ perfusion levels.

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