Monitoring angiogenesis in skin autografts using photoacoustic microscopy

BackgroundSkin autografts have been broadly used to manage the skin and soft tissue defects. It is important for surgeons to assess the vitality of skin autografts via observing the angiogenesis. However, there is lack of reliable approach for giving the quantitative angiogenesis information on the skin autografts. Recently, photoacoustic microscopy imaging has attracted much attention based on its good performance in angiography.MethodsIn this study, we aim to monitor angiogenesis in skin autografts via PAM, and further verify its clinical potential for the early prediction of skin autografts clinical outcome.Results and ConclusionsThe results indicate that PAM is a feasible, precise, high-resolution, noninvasive technique for the early prediction of necrosis of skin autografts via monitoring the angiogenesis, providing a promising tool for surgeons to use this surgical technology. PAM is a precise and noninvasive technique for the early prediction of clinical outcome of skin autografts via monitoring the angiogenesis, providing a promising tool for surgeons to use this surgical technology.image