Fluorescence-guided lymphadenectomy using indocyanine green (ICG) improves intraoperative visualization of gastric lymphatic drainage during gastrectomy. Most reported techniques rely on preoperative endoscopic injection, and standardized intraoperative protocols are limited.
To evaluate the feasibility, safety, and lymph node retrieval of intraoperative subserosal ICG injection for fluorescence-guided D2 lymphadenectomy during laparoscopic gastrectomy.
A prospective descriptive pilot study was conducted at two institutions. Consecutive patients with gastric adenocarcinoma undergoing laparoscopic total or subtotal gastrectomy with curative intent and D2 lymphadenectomy were included. ICG was injected intraoperatively into the anterior gastric wall (two injections of 1.25 mg) after diagnostic exploration. Outcomes included feasibility, safety, fluorescence distribution across D2 stations, and total lymph node retrieval.
Twenty patients were included. The protocol was successfully implemented in all cases without technical difficulties or ICG-related adverse events. Complete D2 lymphadenectomy was achieved in 100% of patients. The median number of retrieved lymph nodes was 39 (range 29–73), with =30 nodes in 95% of cases. Fluorescent nodes were consistently identified in stations 3, 4, 6, and 7, with variable distribution in stations 5, 9, 8a, 11, 1, and 2, and absent in station 12a.
Intraoperative subserosal ICG injection is a feasible, safe, and reproducible technique that enables consistent visualization of major gastric lymphatic basins without requiring preoperative endoscopic injection.
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