Breast reconstruction failure constitutes a double failure for the patient
An informative article published in Haaretz newspaper [Israel] on the ability to predict the success rate of breast reconstructive surgery with SnapshotNIR, a near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) imaging device manufactured by Kent Imaging [Calgary, Canada].
Article: Breast reconstruction failure constitutes a double failure for the patient.
Kent Imaging’s advanced diagnostic-driven imaging device, SnapshotNIR, makes it possible to predict the success of breast reconstruction surgery, helping surgeons make informed decisions.
Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in Israel and throughout the world, as shown by the [Israel] Ministry of Health data (2022) referring to the year 2019. This year alone there were 4,657 new patients diagnosed with invasive breast cancer. Invasive cancer is characterized by tumors that have extended beyond the tissue from which they first developed and have penetrated adjacent tissues. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Israel is 26th for incidence rates of breast cancer, and 69th for mortality. In addition to dealing with treatments, the side effects they cause, and changes to the body, there is also an emotional side, especially when a complete or partial excision is required. "Every time a woman sits in front of me whose world has just come crashing down with a cancer diagnosis, I, as a surgeon, strive to prevent further complications to her life as much as possible. As the one responsible for the reconstruction process, I aim to reduce the time in which the body is missing an organ to a minimum," says Dr. Yoav Gronowitz, the director of the Department of Plastic Surgery at the Shaare Zedek Medical Center.
"A patient who receives a scary diagnosis must deal with the effects of cancer on her general appearance as well as a blow to self-confidence when an important part of their femininity is damaged. This is the entire medical team’s responsibility – the oncologist, the surgeon, and the plastic surgeon - to do everything we can to avoid complications, every step of the way. The first goal is to cure the cancer, and the second is to restore the breast that was affected by partial or complete mastectomy," adds Dr. Ram Kalus, an expert in plastic and aesthetic surgery from Sheba Tel-HaShomer Medical Center in Israel and Plastic Surgery of the Carolinas in South Carolina, USA.
Dr. Kalus, who specializes in breast reconstruction, brought the SnapshotNIR device to Israel from the United States and has seen great success. It is an advanced medical imaging technology, which allows near-instantaneous diagnosis of tissue oxygenation levels, enabling surgeons to make informed decisions about the success of the surgery and reduce the risks of invasive procedures.
New technology, better decisions
As seasoned surgical experts and early adopters of the device, Dr. Gronowitz, and Dr. Kalus understand that breast reconstruction has emotional and psychological consequences for a person going through a very complex and challenging physical process. Dr. Kalus emphasizes the responsibility of the oncological plastic surgeon to do everything possible to avoid complications and minimize the chance of delaying future treatments that the patient must undergo post-surgery. "The failure to reconstruct a woman’s breast constitutes a double failure because it is in addition to other challenging treatment procedures that she may be undergoing such as radiation therapy, chemotherapy, biological medicines, and more."
This is where SnapshotNIR comes into play. It uses near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) imaging technology that enables medical teams to make better decisions before, during, and after the reconstruction process. The camera is equipped with NIR lights that capture the reflection and absorption of light in the patient's tissue. Special sensors measure the gap between the light that came out of the camera and the light that is returned. This gap indicates the levels of oxygenated blood supply in the tissue at the microvascular level. If the device indicates compromised tissue viability, performing an immediate restoration could put the patient at risk for complications or a failure to heal, and therefore, this technology is of enormous importance. Dr. Kalus utilizes SnapshotNIR for all his surgeries. “When the surgeon removes the entire breast or cuts part of it, there is partial or complete damage to the blood supply that may prevent the possibility of reconstruction. SnapshotNIR allows me to predict the success of breast reconstruction and thus helps us to make informed decisions regarding the time and form of restoration. This way, unnecessary risk can be limited, additional surgeries avoided, and the patient’s potential for recovery is expedited." His colleague Dr. Gronowitz adds that this is a highly advanced technology that produces a quick and accurate diagnosis, especially compared to other options that are more expensive, less convenient, and less accurate.
One technology, many benefits
The SnapshotNIR technology is imported and sold in Israel by R-Cure Medical, a company that markets medical equipment and has a hybrid management system that combines technological innovations for diagnosis, treatment and prevention of wounds that are difficult to heal, prevention of infections, and rehabilitation. In addition to the solution that this technology provides to one of the biggest challenges that surgeons dealing with reconstruction face, it has other advantages. Dr. Gronowitz explains, "In addition to the clinical possibility of monitoring the skin tissue left by the surgeon who performed the mastectomy, this mobile technology can be used anywhere - in the operating room, at the patient's bedside, and in the doctor's office for the full spectrum of care. The device doesn’t require injections or dyes. Thanks to the use of near-infrared light, a digital image is created non-invasively."
"Through experience and clinical research, we know that many breast reconstruction surgeries have complications. Despite many years of experience and great professionalism in oncoplasty, we are still humans who rely on our eyes. This technology can help us better understand what is happening in the tissue, beyond the surface, and proceed with confidence. Whether it’s performing the restoration immediately or postponing it, or in some cases choosing a tensor that can increase the chances of the patient’s recovery, that's exactly what this device does," Dr. Kalus explains. He adds, "The medical staff who provide assistance to the patient recognize the uniqueness of breast cancer. It is one of the diseases that most affect a woman’s mental health. Therefore, we are driven to prevent complications at all stages of the treatment. We want to provide a solution that is more than aesthetics and improve the quality of life of those who suffer. I take on these challenges in the most extreme way, doing everything possible to ensure success.”
Original article was written in Hebrew by Gali Levita.
This article was prepared in collaboration with R-Cure Medical and Kent Imaging Inc.