Insights into Treating Hard-to-Heal Surgical Wounds: Multispectral Near-Infrared Spectroscopy Imaging and Predictive Analysis

Introduction: Surgical wounds pose significant challenges in postoperative care due to their potential for complications and delayed healing. These challenges are exacerbated when patients are referred from different healthcare providers, necessitating seamless coordination and accurate assessment for optimal wound management. This study evaluates the efficacy of Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS) imaging in the postoperative management of surgical wounds, particularly in patients referred from various healthcare providers.Methods:Using an FDA 510(k) cleared handheld mobile NIRS and thermal imaging device*, we measured tissue oxygenation and skin surface temperature in postoperative patients with surgical wounds. Imaging data were collected at initial patient assessment and during subsequent follow-up visits. Metrics analyzed included wound healing rates, the frequency of clinical interventions, and the correlation of clinical outcomes with NIRS imaging results. Specifically, we examined wound size reduction in relation to NIRS data to investigate the predictive value of NIRS imaging for wound healing progress.Results:Preliminary findings indicate that the integration of NIRS imaging into postoperative wound management significantly improved the real-time assessment of wound healing progress, allowing for more timely and accurate clinical interventions.Discussion: NIRS imaging presents a valuable tool in the postoperative management of surgical wounds, offering a non-invasive method to monitor tissue oxygenation. Its integration into clinical practice enhances wound healing outcomes and optimizes patient care. These findings suggest that broader implementation of NIRS imaging could significantly improve postoperative wound management and patient outcomes in diverse clinical settings, particularly for patients referred from different healthcare providers.References: