A high-tech camera may take the guesswork out of spotting a dangerous surgery complication

This study tests whether two imaging tools—laser speckle contrast imaging (LSCI) and digital thermography—can objectively grade mesenteric traction syndrome (MTS), a frequent complication during abdominal surgery that causes low blood pressure, rapid heart rate, and facial flushing. Currently, MTS severity is judged subjectively by the surgical team, which is unreliable. The trial will measure facial perfusion in about 98 patients undergoing open or robotic surgery for esophageal, gastric, or pancreatic cancer, and compare the two imaging methods against blood biomarkers to see if they can accurately identify and grade MTS.