Background and objective.

The viability of the nipple areola complex is a vitally important aspect in breast surgery. In previous studies, with the use of 3D mammography, we presented that the revascularization of the NIC after mastopexy is not ad-integrum and that there are different vascular patterns in some patients after undergoing breast surgery. There are methods to evaluate tissue circulation, not only before surgery, but also during the intraoperative period, such as: colorimetry, indocyanine green, and thermography.

Our objective is to present the use of thermography as a predictor of vascular compromise of the nipple-areola complexNIC during mastopexy.

Methods.

A prospective and observational study was carried out in 37 patients (74 breasts) who underwent mastopexies. Temperature was obtained using the Flir one pro® model 435-0004-03 portable thermal camera for smartphones (Apple® smartphone,I-phone12 version 16.1.1, evaluating temperature differentials in 3 stages of breast surgery: initial, intermediate and final.

Results.

The average temperature between initial and final in patients with clinical signs of vascular compromise of the nipple-areola complex was greater than 4 degrees. Rest of patients, with nipple-areola complex without clinical signs of blood flow changes, a differential between the initial and final temperature of <3.1 degrees was found.

Conclusions.

In our experience, thermography can serve as a predictive tool of vascular compromise of the nipple-areola complex during breast surgery.

Level of evidence

4c Diagnostic

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