Personalized laparoscopic resection of colon cancer with the use of indocyanine green lymph node mapping: Technical and clinical outcomes.

INTRODUCTION

To describe the experience of utilization of real time indocyanide green (ICG) fluorescent imaging for mapping out drainage lymph node and hence personalized lymphadenectomy in colorectal resection.

METHODS

Perioperative injection of ICG before or during colon cancer resection by either intraluminal submucosal injection or laparoscopic peritumoural injection. The drainage lymph nodes were mapped out, and hence lymphadenectomy was performed enbloc with the main tumor. The effectiveness of mapping of drainage lymphatics and the procedure performed were recorded.

RESULTS

A total of 21 patients (M:F = 14: 7) had perioperative ICG injection to map out the drainage lymphatics. The overall success rate was 86%. Seven patients (33%) had endoscopic submucosal injection, while 14 patients (67%) had intraoperative peritumoural injection. Three patients who had endoscopic submucosal injection had ICG extravasation, and hence failed lymph node mapping. Four patients (19%) had a change in extent of resection according to the lymph node mapping results.

CONCLUSIONS

Personalized oncological colorectal resection and lymphadenectomy can be performed with the aid of ICG technology. Laparoscopic subserosal ICG injection may be the preferred route, as it minimize extravasation and aids to identify drainage lymph nodes without prolonging minimally invasive surgery. Further studies are required to determine the best route, strength, and timing of ICG injection and concordance with pathology to tailor the extent of resection for individual patients.