A pilot prospective study of forward-looking infrared (FLIR) camera measurements to predict postoperative wound complications in high-energy lower extremity fractures

To prospectively determine if forward-looking infrared (FLIR) camera temperature measurements can predict postoperative wound complications in high-energy lower extremity fractures.

This is a prospective cohort study from a single level 1 trauma centre. Adult patients who sustained unilateral high-energy lower extremity fractures (tibial plateau, tibial plafond, trimalleolar ankle, midfoot, or calcaneus fractures) were included in the study. Preoperative and post-induction FLIR thermographic measurements were taken using the FLIRONE ® PRO camera system. The main outcome of interest was the development of any wound related postoperative complication.

Forty-eight patients were included in the study. A majority of the patients were male (58%) with a mean age of 44.2 years. FLIR imaging detected temperature differences between the operative extremity and the contralateral extremity, both in the preoperative area and following induction (Pre-op: 33.0 vs 30.8, p < 0.001; Post-induction: 29.6 vs 28.5, p = 0.046). Overall, 11 (23.9%) patients experienced a wound complication. Regression analysis did not demonstrate a significant association between preoperative or post-induction FLIR measurements and the development of wound complications.

While FLIR imaging could detect temperature changes related to traumatic injury, these differences did not correlate with postoperative outcomes. Further large-scale study may be warranted.

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