A Phase 4 interventional study of Indocyanine Green and Standard clinical perfusion assessment in Head and Neck Cancer (H&N), Free Tissue Flaps and Free Flap, sponsored by Region Skane. Recruiting at 1 site in Sweden. Open to participants aged 18 Years and older. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-09-29.
Sponsored by Region Skane · Phase 4, Interventional, and Treatment
This is a prospective multicentre randomised controlled trial evaluating whether intraoperative indocyanine green (ICG) fluorescence angiography improves outcomes in head and neck free flap reconstruction compared with standard clinical assessment of flap perfusion. Adult patients undergoing microvascular free flap reconstruction for oncologic, trauma, or benign head and neck defects will be randomised to either intraoperative ICG angiography or conventional clinical perfusion assessment. The primary outcome is partial flap loss requiring intervention within 30 days after surgery. Secondary outcomes include total flap loss, flap-related re-exploration, flap salvage, and postoperative complications.
The VISION Trial is a prospective, multicentre, open-label, parallel-group randomised controlled trial comparing intraoperative indocyanine green (ICG) fluorescence angiography with standard clinical assessment for flap perfusion in head and neck free flap reconstruction.
Free flap reconstruction is an essential component of complex head and neck reconstruction, but flap survival depends on adequate microvascular perfusion. Conventional intraoperative assessment methods, including inspection of flap colour, capillary refill, tissue turgor, bleeding upon needle prick, and Doppler examination, provide indirect assessment of perfusion and may be unreliable in some situations.
ICG fluorescence angiography enables real-time visualisation of arterial inflow and venous outflow using near-infrared fluorescence imaging. Retrospective studies have suggested that ICG angiography may reduce rates of partial flap loss and flap-related re-exploration, but high-quality prospective randomised evidence remains limited.
A total of 244 adult patients undergoing microvascular free flap reconstruction for oncologic, trauma, or benign head and neck defects at participating Swedish centres will be included. Participants will be randomised to either standard clinical assessment alone or standard clinical assessment supplemented with intraoperative ICG fluorescence angiography.
In the intervention group, ICG angiography will be performed intraoperatively using near-infrared fluorescence imaging systems after administration of intravenous indocyanine green (Verdye®). Quantitative perfusion analysis will also be performed using SPY-Q software.
The primary endpoint is partial flap loss requiring intervention within 30 days after surgery. Secondary endpoints include total flap loss, flap-related re-exploration under general anaesthesia, flap salvage, postoperative complications graded according to Clavien-Dindo classification, and the association between intraoperative SPY-Q perfusion values and flap outcomes.
No additional trial-specific postoperative visits are required. Outcomes will be assessed through structured chart review at 30 and 90 days postoperatively.
Exclusion Criteria:
Participants undergo intraoperative assessment of free flap perfusion using standard clinical assessment methods, including inspection of flap colour, capillary refill, tissue turgor, bleeding upon needle prick, and Doppler examination as clinically indicated. Surgical revision is performed according to standard clinical practice if inadequate perfusion is suspected.
Procedure: Standard clinical perfusion assessment
Participants undergo intraoperative assessment of free flap perfusion using indocyanine green (ICG) fluorescence angiography in addition to standard clinical assessment. ICG is administered intravenously and perfusion is evaluated using near-infrared fluorescence imaging and SPY-Q quantitative perfusion analysis during head and neck free flap reconstruction.
Drug: Indocyanine Green · Procedure: Standard clinical perfusion assessment
Indocyanine green (ICG) is administered intravenously during surgery for intraoperative fluorescence angiography assessment of free flap perfusion in head and neck reconstruction. A 25 mg vial of ICG (Verdye®) is reconstituted with sterile water, and approximately 7.5 mg is administered intravenously followed by saline flush. Perfusion is assessed using near-infrared fluorescence imaging systems and SPY-Q quantitative perfusion analysis.
Also known as: ICG, Verdye
Standard intraoperative clinical assessment of free flap perfusion including evaluation of flap colour, capillary refill, tissue turgor, bleeding upon needle prick, and Doppler examination as clinically indicated during head and neck free flap reconstruction.
Partial flap loss requiring intervention
Partial flap loss is defined as clinically evident flap necrosis requiring active therapeutic intervention, including operative debridement/revision in the operating room or bedside debridement/trimming performed by a surgeon beyond routine wound care.
Time frame: From index surgery to 30 days postoperatively
Total flap loss
Complete flap failure requiring flap removal, replacement, or abandonment with documentation of flap non-viability.
Time frame: From index surgery to 30 days postoperatively
Flap-related re-exploration under general anaesthesia
Return to the operating room under general anaesthesia due to suspected or confirmed flap vascular compromise or flap viability concern, excluding planned second-look procedures without concern.
Time frame: From index surgery to 30 days postoperatively
Flap salvage
Successful retention of the index flap following flap-related re-exploration for vascular compromise.
Time frame: From index surgery to 30 days postoperatively
Postoperative complications
Incidence of postoperative complications occurring 90 days after index operation. Predefined surgical complications will be captured systematically and include surgical takeback, partial flap loss, total flap loss, infection, hematoma or bleeding requiring intervention, fistula formation, wound dehiscence, seroma, abnormal wound healing, and other surgical complications. The severity of complications will be classified according to the Clavien-Dindo Classification of Surgical Complications (Grade I-V, where Grade I represents the least severe complication and Grade V represents death).
Time frame: From index surgery to 90 days postoperatively
Correlation between intraoperative SPY-Q Relative Perfusion Value (%) and partial flap loss
Correlation between intraoperative tissue perfusion measured using SPY-Q quantitative analysis software following indocyanine green fluorescence angiography and postoperative partial flap loss within 30 days after surgery. SPY-Q Relative Perfusion Value is reported as a percentage ranging from 0% to 100%, where higher values indicate greater tissue perfusion. Partial flap loss is assessed clinically and recorded as a binary outcome (present or absent). The outcome measure is the correlation coefficient between SPY-Q Relative Perfusion Value and partial flap loss.
Time frame: From index surgery to 30 days postoperatively
Plan to share: Undecided
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