What is Fluorescence Imaging?

Fluorescence Imaging has been safely performed in tens of thousands of patients in the United States and other parts of the world. Fluorescence Imaging provides surgeons with real-time, critical information in the operating room, and can potentially reduce complications. Fluorescence imaging is not potentially harmful to the kidneys, nor does it involve harmful radiation, as are the risks associated with x-ray imaging and CT scans.

How Intra-Operative Imaging Can Help
During Breast Reconstruction

Surgeons at leading medical centers now use breast surgery imaging, or more formally "intra-operative fluorescence imaging," to reduce the reported rate of complications from 10% to 30%* to virtually zero. Breast reconstruction, following a mastectomy, remains a safe operation, and yet, complications can occur. Healing problems, repeat surgery, or partial necrosis (non-surviving skin and tissue), and ultimately significant delays in planned cancer therapy, are complications commonly caused by poor blood flow to the reconstructed tissue.

Reconstructed tissue must have adequate
blood flow to survive.

Breast surgery imaging is performed during several steps of the procedure to help doctors constantly monitor, in real-time, the quality of perfusion (blood flow) in the skin and tissue, and to achieve optimal mastectomy and reconstruction results.

Surgeons, including plastic reconstructive and surgical oncologists, use breast surgery imaging, in combination with their clinical judgment and years of experience, to guide critical operating decisions and ultimately help women avoid serious complications associated with poor blood supply.