Thermography as a Means of Blood Perfusion Measurement

Abstract

The scanning infrared camera has been used to verify an analytical model relating blood perfusion rate to skin temperature. The blood perfusion rates were measured with both the mercury strain gage and the volume plethysmograph on the human forearm. Thermograms were taken of the forearm and temperature measured using an optical densitometer. Comparison of the volume plethysmograph with the strain gage, and the thermograms with the strain gage indicate thermography to be a useful means of measuring blood flow. Thermography has the advantages of being noninvasive and can be used to measure blood perfusion in parts of the body not easily monitored with occlusive techniques.

Evaluation of IPSI-lateral versus CONTRA-lateral TRAM flap survival with static thermography in pedicled flap breast reconstruction

“…This paper presents the results of the intraoperative examination performed after flap dissection, after transferring the flap to the recipient site and twisting the vascular pedicle, and on the first and seventh postoperative day. The results indicate that the mean intraoperative temperature and median of IPSI flaps are higher than those of CONTRA flaps, which suggests better blood supply to the flap [6] and corroborates the results of Clugston's research [2]. The visible results are reversed on the first and the seventh day, and the mean temperature as well as CONTRA flap median are distinctly higher.…”

“…The aim of our research was to compare the images generated in intraoperative static thermography both prior to and after twisting the vascular pedicle of the flap, and in subsequent postoperative days in the reconstructive procedures with TRAM IPSI and CONTRA flaps. Knowing the fact that the relationship between skin blood perfusion and temperature is well known we decided to examine it with a static thermograph device [6].…”

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

“…The aim of this paper was to compare the intraoperative and postoperative clinical assessment of flap perfusion with temperature value measured in static thermography in breast reconstructive procedure with the use of pedicled TRAM flaps, noting the fact that the relationship between skin temperature and blood supply is welldocumented in literature [7].…”

Comparison of perforator location in dynamic and static thermographic imaging with Doppler ultrasound in breast reconstruction surgery

“…The aim of the study was to compare perforator location as determined in dTnorm and t90_10 images in cold and heat stress dynamic thermography and in static thermography with Doppler ultrasound in the preoperative 10.21611/qirt.2016.059 planning period, and intra-and postoperatively on subsequent days, considering the fact that the relationship between the temperature of the skin and its blood supply is documented in literature [4,5,6,7].…”