How a Green Dye Might Help in Breast Reconstruction

Breast reconstruction after a mastectomy can sometimes lead to tissue damage, known as mastectomy skin flap necrosis (MFN). This happens in about 7-40% of cases, causing healing delays and potential treatment setbacks. To tackle this, doctors have started using a green dye called indocyanine green (ICG). This dye helps them see how well the tissue is receiving blood during surgery. A recent study looked at how ICG imaging, combined with a scoring system, affects MFN rates in immediate deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) breast reconstruction. The goal was to find a safe level of tissue perfusion, or blood flow, to guide surgeons in deciding how much tissue to remove. The study also aimed to meet national benchmarks for breast reconstruction outcomes. The use of ICG imaging is not new, but the best level of tissue perfusion for resection, or cutting away, is still up for debate. This study tried to shed some light on that. By using ICG fluorescence imaging, surgeons could better assess tissue perfusion during the procedure. The hope is that this will lead to fewer cases of MFN and better outcomes for patients. However, it's important to note that this was a single-center study. This means the results might not be the same everywhere. More research is needed to see if these findings hold up in different settings. But for now, the use of ICG imaging and perfusion scoring seems promising in reducing the risk of tissue damage in breast reconstruction.