Infrared (IR) thermography-based quantitative parameters to predict the risk of post-operative cancerous breast resection flap necrosis

Despite intraoperative clinical evaluation, development of post-breast reconstruction surgery flap necrosis is not uncommon. This results in prolonged healing or the need for a secondary corrective procedure to remove the necrosis part. In the present study, to predict the post-operative necrosis risk (within 24 h), novel passive and active dynamic thermography-based quantitative parameters were tested. Thirty-two patients, undergoing breast reconstruction surgery, were recruited, on whom, post-surgery passive and active infrared (IR) thermography examinations were performed. Using the resultant quantitative parameters, a cut-off value-based classification model was tested that resulted in a highest sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of 89%, 87%, and 88%, respectively, for the passive thermography examination performed just after the surgery.