Application of laser-assisted indocyanine green fluorescent angiography for the assessment of tissue perfusion of anodermal advancement flaps.

Diseases of the Colon & ReCtum Volume 56: 6 (2013) the application of laser-assisted indocyanine green fluorescent dye angiography for the assessment of skin-flap viability has been described previously. this method of perfusion assessment allows for the quantitative, real-time analysis of flaps. its ability to predict flap necrosis and aide in clinical decision making about flap viability has also been demonstrated. indocyanine green fluorescent angiography to assess anodermal flap perfusion is demonstrated in this video vignette (see Video, supplemental Digital Content 1, http:// links.lww.com/DCR/a110), which can be found in the supplemental digital content. Real-time fluorescent angiography has not yet been proven to affect surgical decision making, or to improve graft healing, but it may be useful in guiding surgeons when the adequacy of arterial perfusion is questioned. indocyanine green fluorescent angiography requires specialized imaging hardware and the fluorescent dye. the cost of these resources must be balanced against potential gains. REFERENCES