Comprehensive Assessment of Indocyanine Green Usage: One Tracer, Multiple Urological Applications

Eur Urol Focus. 2018 Sep;4(5):665-668. doi: 10.1016/j.euf.2018.08.017. Epub 2018 Sep 7.

Abstract

The intraoperative use of fluorescent tracers and matching cameras can empower urologists' ability to recognize critical anatomical and functional features. Indocyanine green is the most extensively used near-infrared fluorescent tracer. It has been widely applied due to its ability to illuminate vascular and lymphatic anatomies. A plurality of fluorescence cameras are available allowing the connection of this technology with many surgical approaches, including robotic surgery. Although large comparative validation studies are lacking, numerous studies support the role of fluorescence guidance in urology.

Keywords: Fluorescence; Image-guided surgery; Indocyanine green (ICG); Lymph node vascularization; Lymphangiography; Urology.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Clinical Competence
  • Coloring Agents / administration & dosage
  • Fluorescence
  • Humans
  • Indocyanine Green / administration & dosage*
  • Indocyanine Green / standards
  • Intraoperative Care
  • Lymph Nodes / diagnostic imaging*
  • Lymph Nodes / pathology
  • Lymph Nodes / surgery
  • Lymphatic Metastasis / diagnostic imaging*
  • Lymphatic Metastasis / pathology
  • Lymphography / methods
  • Optical Imaging / methods*
  • Robotic Surgical Procedures / instrumentation*
  • Robotic Surgical Procedures / standards
  • Urologic Surgical Procedures / methods

Substances

  • Coloring Agents
  • Indocyanine Green