Fast continuous tissue oxygenation visualization for colorectal surgery using hyperspectral light-field imaging

Abstract

Reliable bowel perfusion assessment remains difficult because intraoperative judgement is largely subjective and many hyperspectral imaging workflows are intermittent. We present a workflow-compatible approach for fast continuous tissue oxygenation visualization during colorectal surgery using hyperspectral light-field imaging. The method combines reflectance reconstruction with a computationally efficient spectral correlation to generate color-coded oxygenation overlays during the extracorporal surgical phase. In a two-case pilot study, the oxygenation transition zones corresponded well with surgeon-defined transection regions and supported temporal visualization of progressive devascularization. Two hyperspectral light-field cameras were evaluated in parallel. Total processing times of 161.5 ms and 397.2 ms enabled continuous image guidance, while the camera comparison remained secondary to the translational objective. The results indicate that hyperspectral light-field imaging is a promising platform for intraoperative perfusion guidance in colorectal surgery.