Abstract
Indocyanine green (ICG) fluorescent imaging has been used in colorectal surgery to
assess intraoperative blood flow to the colon. However, its use has expanded to allow
imaging of the lymphatic drainage within the mesentery in cancer resections. This
technique can been used for real-time visualization of lymph nodes, and the detection
of sentinel lymph nodes, lateral sidewall nodes, metastatic lymph nodes, and peritoneal
metastases. Ultimately, this provides a more informative map of the mesentery displaying
lymphatics and blood flow. The technique is economical and easy to use by the surgeon
intraoperatively. ICG lymphangiography has the potential to aid the surgeon to ensure
complete lymphadenectomy is performed in cancer resections.
Keywords
indocyanine green fluorescent - ICG - sentinel lymph nodes - metastatic lymph nodes
- colorectal cancer
