The use of the static thermography in monitoring flap perfusion in breast reconstruction with TRAM flap

This paper shows results of the static thermography for intraoperative and postoperative imaging of TRAM flap perfusion. The results were compared with the clinical examination of flap perfusion. The study was conducted on a group of 38 female patients who underwent breast reconstruction. One of the primary tasks of plastic surgery is the reconstruction of integumentary defects with the use skinfat or skin-muscle flaps. The flaps can be both pedicled and free, in which the flap vessels are connected with the recipient site vessels with microsurgical techniques. They involve surgical procedures with a high risk of complications, ranging from partial marginal necrosis with total necrosis of the flap. The consequences include a long hospitalization, increased risk of surgical site infection, necessity for subsequent operations, increased costs of treatment, and - finally - a poorer aesthetic and functional result.