Characterization of cutaneous microvasculature using 3D imaging: A feasibility study in a cohort of head and neck surgery patients with attention to smoking status
Summary: Background: This study explored a new method to characterize cutaneous microvasculature and evaluated the associations between baseline vessel characteristics and post-operative wound healing outcomes. Materials and Methods: We prospectively enrolled 17 adult patients undergoing major head...
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Elsevier
2025-06-01
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| author | O.M. Alese A.C. Wilson K.M. Tessier A. Loavenbruck C. Dedeker A.A. Lassig |
| author_facet | O.M. Alese A.C. Wilson K.M. Tessier A. Loavenbruck C. Dedeker A.A. Lassig |
| author_sort | O.M. Alese |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Summary: Background: This study explored a new method to characterize cutaneous microvasculature and evaluated the associations between baseline vessel characteristics and post-operative wound healing outcomes. Materials and Methods: We prospectively enrolled 17 adult patients undergoing major head and neck surgery. A full thickness cutaneous biopsy from the inferior surgical skin flap of the neck incision was obtained and processed for immunohistochemical analyses. Collagen IV antibody was immunolocalized along with secondary fluorophore-conjugated antibodies for confocal microscopy. The Vesselucida 360 software was used to morphologically characterize the cutaneous vasculature by tracing 3D sections of the collagen IV-stained vessels. Vessel structure metrics including isolated elements (individual vessel structures) and patient characteristics were evaluated for associations. Statistical analyses were performed using R version 3.6.1 and SAS version 9.4; a p-value of 0.05 was considered significant. Results: Males and prior chemotherapy patients trended toward higher isolated elements compared with females and patients without a history of chemotherapy. Vesselucida assessment results indicated that current and former smokers were found to have more tortuous vessels and irregular vessel walls than never-smokers. Isolated elements were significantly higher in patients who returned to the hospital owing to a wound complication, required long-term wound care, or had other complications. Vascular endothelial growth factor A was positively correlated with vessel endings and total surface area, whereas placental growth factor was positively correlated with isolated elements and endings. Conclusions: We described the use of Vesselucida 360 as an innovative tool to characterize cutaneous vasculature; using this tool, the increase in isolated elements was found to be associated with poorer wound healing outcomes. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-211a01c8bba4462a8aac27f86bd31b12 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2352-5878 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
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| series | JPRAS Open |
| spelling | doaj-art-211a01c8bba4462a8aac27f86bd31b122025-08-20T01:53:30ZengElsevierJPRAS Open2352-58782025-06-014449350510.1016/j.jpra.2025.03.020Characterization of cutaneous microvasculature using 3D imaging: A feasibility study in a cohort of head and neck surgery patients with attention to smoking statusO.M. Alese0A.C. Wilson1K.M. Tessier2A. Loavenbruck3C. Dedeker4A.A. Lassig5University of Minnesota, Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, Minneapolis, MN; Hennepin Healthcare Research Institute / Hennepin Healthcare, Department of Otolaryngology, Minneapolis, MN; Corresponding author: Dr. Olutayo M Alese; Hennepin Healthcare Research Institute, Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, 701 Park Ave., Minneapolis, MN 55415.University of Minnesota, Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, Minneapolis, MN; Hennepin Healthcare Research Institute / Hennepin Healthcare, Department of Otolaryngology, Minneapolis, MNUniversity of Minnesota, Masonic Cancer Center, Biostatistics Core, Minneapolis, MNHennepin Healthcare, Department of Neurology, Minneapolis, MN; University of Minnesota, Kennedy Laboratory, Minneapolis, MNHennepin Healthcare Research Institute / Hennepin Healthcare, Department of Otolaryngology, Minneapolis, MNUniversity of Minnesota, Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, Minneapolis, MN; Hennepin Healthcare Research Institute / Hennepin Healthcare, Department of Otolaryngology, Minneapolis, MNSummary: Background: This study explored a new method to characterize cutaneous microvasculature and evaluated the associations between baseline vessel characteristics and post-operative wound healing outcomes. Materials and Methods: We prospectively enrolled 17 adult patients undergoing major head and neck surgery. A full thickness cutaneous biopsy from the inferior surgical skin flap of the neck incision was obtained and processed for immunohistochemical analyses. Collagen IV antibody was immunolocalized along with secondary fluorophore-conjugated antibodies for confocal microscopy. The Vesselucida 360 software was used to morphologically characterize the cutaneous vasculature by tracing 3D sections of the collagen IV-stained vessels. Vessel structure metrics including isolated elements (individual vessel structures) and patient characteristics were evaluated for associations. Statistical analyses were performed using R version 3.6.1 and SAS version 9.4; a p-value of 0.05 was considered significant. Results: Males and prior chemotherapy patients trended toward higher isolated elements compared with females and patients without a history of chemotherapy. Vesselucida assessment results indicated that current and former smokers were found to have more tortuous vessels and irregular vessel walls than never-smokers. Isolated elements were significantly higher in patients who returned to the hospital owing to a wound complication, required long-term wound care, or had other complications. Vascular endothelial growth factor A was positively correlated with vessel endings and total surface area, whereas placental growth factor was positively correlated with isolated elements and endings. Conclusions: We described the use of Vesselucida 360 as an innovative tool to characterize cutaneous vasculature; using this tool, the increase in isolated elements was found to be associated with poorer wound healing outcomes.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352587825000695Vesselucida 360Vessel structureWound healingCutaneous vasculatureSurgery |
| spellingShingle | O.M. Alese A.C. Wilson K.M. Tessier A. Loavenbruck C. Dedeker A.A. Lassig Characterization of cutaneous microvasculature using 3D imaging: A feasibility study in a cohort of head and neck surgery patients with attention to smoking status JPRAS Open Vesselucida 360 Vessel structure Wound healing Cutaneous vasculature Surgery |
| title | Characterization of cutaneous microvasculature using 3D imaging: A feasibility study in a cohort of head and neck surgery patients with attention to smoking status |
| title_full | Characterization of cutaneous microvasculature using 3D imaging: A feasibility study in a cohort of head and neck surgery patients with attention to smoking status |
| title_fullStr | Characterization of cutaneous microvasculature using 3D imaging: A feasibility study in a cohort of head and neck surgery patients with attention to smoking status |
| title_full_unstemmed | Characterization of cutaneous microvasculature using 3D imaging: A feasibility study in a cohort of head and neck surgery patients with attention to smoking status |
| title_short | Characterization of cutaneous microvasculature using 3D imaging: A feasibility study in a cohort of head and neck surgery patients with attention to smoking status |
| title_sort | characterization of cutaneous microvasculature using 3d imaging a feasibility study in a cohort of head and neck surgery patients with attention to smoking status |
| topic | Vesselucida 360 Vessel structure Wound healing Cutaneous vasculature Surgery |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352587825000695 |
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