Hyperspectral imaging in free and pedicled flap monitoring

Introduction In head and neck surgery, free and pedicled flaps are frequently used in the reconstruction of damaged tissue. Since the survival of said flaps heavily influences the time of hospitalization as well as the general outcome, close monitoring is a necessity. Established monitoring techniques rely on clinical observations and thus the experience and interpretation of the performing physician. Despite new emerging approaches, a reproducible and user-independent way to detect transplant failure early is yet to be found.