Imaging in reconstructive microsurgery – current standards and latest trends

In microsurgery, many different imaging techniques are available in both flap and lymphatic surgery that all come with their own advantages and disadvantages. In flap surgery, CT angiography is considered as the gold standard. Among others, Doppler ultrasound, color Doppler ultrasound, ICG, and smartphone-based thermal cameras are valuable imaging techniques. In lymphatic surgery, photoacoustic imaging, laser tomography, contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging, and high frequency ultrasound stand available to surgeons next to the current standard of lymphoscintigraphy. It is crucial to know the advantages and disadvantages to various techniques and highly adviced to microsurgeons be capable of using a variety of them.