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VS03.01: QUANTITATIVE IMAGING OF CHANGE IN MICROCIRCULATION BY SIDESTREAM DARK FIELD MICROSCOPY (SDF) AFTER ESOPHAGECTOMY


 
 
 Anastomotic leakage is one of the most severe complications after esophageal resection with gastric tube reconstruction. Impaired perfusion of the gastric fundus is seen as the main contributing factor for this complication. Transection of the left gastric and gastro-epiploic artery and veins results in compromised perfusion in the fundus area which can result in anastomotic dehiscence (5–20%), relating to high morbidity and mortality (3–4%). The main objective of this observational study is to evaluation gastric tube microcirculation with Sidestream Darkfield Microscopy (SDF).
 
 
 
 This study included 22 patients (October 2015 - June 2016). Intra-operative microscopic images of gastric tube microcirculation were obtained with SDF directly after reconstruction. Using software (AVA2.0), the following parameters were evaluated: average velocity (μm/sec), Microvascular Flow Index (MFI), Total Vessel Density (TVD), Perfusion Vessel Density (PVD), Proportion of Perfused Vessels (PPV) and the De Backer Score (DBS), to assess change in perfusion.
 
 
 
 SDF accurately visualized and evaluated microcirculation in all patients. A SDF-stabilizer was used to create stable images. The average velocity decreased significantly towards the fundus (P = 0.001). Also, MFI, PVD and PPV were significantly lower towards the fundus, compared to the base of the gastric tube (P = 0.0002). No differences in TVD and DBS were observed, which was associated to the observed vessel dilation in the fundus-area. This vessel dilation proposes that compromised venous return may play an important role in the development of necrosis and leakage. Three patients developed anastomotic leakage.
 
 
 
 This is the first study presenting quantitative microcirculation imaging with SDF of the gastric tube. Velocity, MFI, TVD and PPV were accurate parameters to observe change in perfusion after reconstruction. Also, vessel dilation in the fundus suggests a role for venous return in the development of ischemia. Quantitative microcirculation with SDF could allow for intra-operative early risk stratification, and, potentially, can result in a reduction of anastomotic leakage.
 
 
 
 All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.
