Eric Jewell Helps Us SPY in the OR

I recently observed my first plastic reconstructive surgery thanks to Dr. Chrysopoulo PRMA and his team at The Methodist Hospital in San Antonio.  We were there to get some video of the procedure using Novadaq’s SPY(R) System during a breast reconstruction procedure, following a mastectomy.  SPY helps doctors identify the tissue with the most effective blood vessels so they can minimize the tissue harvested from the abdomen to the chest.  The procedure, known as the DIEP Flap, means the woman’s breasts are re-created with her own natural tissue, instead of using implants.

Why is using SPY beneficial in this surgery?  Because w/out SPY, doctors make an educated guess about the area to harvest and may take more tissue than necessary to allow for variances.  There’s also a risk that the tissue is not viable (not sufficient blood flow in the vessels) and the transplanted tissue dies.  Now, this woman must face another reconstructive procedure and increased risks of complications.  After watching the 10-hour, intricate surgery, I’m certain women need to know their options when faced with breast cancer and know that technology like SPY is available to improve the safety and quality of the procedure.  Ladies…get your mammograms.  Early detection is vital.