Can Laser-Assisted Indocyanine Green Angiography Be Used to Quantify Perfusion Changes During Staged Fixation of Pilon Fractures? A Pilot Study
Brendon C. Mitchell, Pelle V. Wall, Taylor K. Zak, Keenan M. Onodera, Pradyumna Gurusamy, Kathryn Dwight, Joseph Elsissy, William T. Kent
Abstract
Research summary (not the publisher abstract):
Purpose: Test whether fluorescence angiography can measure changing soft-tissue perfusion during staged pilon-fracture treatment.
Methods: A prospective cohort included 12 patients with 12 fractures. Investigators used indocyanine-green imaging and ImageJ analysis around initial external fixation and before definitive fixation, assessing anterior, medial, and lateral regions.
Results: Measured perfusion increased between stages by an average of 24% medially, 26% laterally, and 19% anteriorly; each comparison was statistically significant.
Interpretation: The pilot demonstrates measurable perfusion improvement during staged care. Such imaging may help assess soft-tissue readiness, but this small observational study does not establish a validated timing threshold or prove better clinical outcomes.
Publisher abstract and citation: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35580330/