Applications of Near-Infrared Fluorescence Imaging and Angiography of Inferior Vesical Artery in Laparoscopic Lateral Lymph Node Dissection: A Prospective Non-randomized Controlled Study
Bin Tang, Sicheng Zhou, Kunshan He, Shiwen Mei, Wenlong Qiu, Xu Guan, Fucheng Liu, Chongwei Chi, Xishan Wang, Jie Tian, Qian Liu, Jianqiang Tang- Gastroenterology
- General Medicine
BACKGROUND:
Near-infrared imaging with indocyanine green has been used to guide lateral lymph node dissection, yet its efficacy and benefits need further investigation.
OBJECTIVE:
To investigate the efficacy and feasibility of near-infrared fluorescence imaging and angiography of inferior vesical artery in laparoscopic lateral lymph node dissection.
DESIGN:
A prospective non-randomized controlled study.
SETTINGS:
Single center study
PATIENTS:
Patients with lower rectal cancer who underwent total mesorectal excision plus lateral lymph node dissection.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:
A cohort of 108 patients was enrolled. After propensity score matching, 29 patients in near-infrared group and 50 patients in non-near-infrared group were matched. The total number of harvested lateral lymph nodes, positive lateral lymph nodes, inferior vesical artery preservation, and postoperative urinary function were compared.
RESULTS:
After propensity score matching, the baseline characteristics were similar in both groups. The total number of harvested lateral lymph nodes in the near-infrared group was significantly higher (12 vs 9,
LIMITATIONS:
Small sample size.
CONCLUSIONS:
Near-infrared imaging increased the number of harvested lateral lymph nodes, while real-time indocyanine green fluorescence angiography ensured the preservation of inferior vesical artery and tended to improve postoperative urinary function.