[Fluorescence navigation and angiography with indocyanine green in stomach cancer surgery]

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effectiveness of intraoperative angiography and fluorescence navigation with indocyanine green in reducing the risks of intra- and postoperative complications, as well as resection quality in patients with gastric cancer.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The main group consisted of patients who underwent intraoperative angiography and fluorescence navigation with indocyanine green (n=43). The control group included patients without these procedures (n=154). Both groups did not differ in gender (p=0.937) and age (p=0.437). The lower third of the stomach was the most common tumor location in the main group (62.7% of cases), the middle and lower thirds of the stomach - in the control group (37% and 38.9% of patients, respectively). There was no between-group difference in «cT» grading (p>0.05). However, there were more «cN+» patients in the main group (14 (32.6%) versus 28 (18.4%) ones of «N0» category, p=0.042). Therefore, 41.9% and 13.6% of patients underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy in both groups, respectively (<0.001).

RESULTS

Intraoperative angiography and fluorescence navigation with indocyanine green does not increase mortality (p=0.631), incidence of major (CD 3-5) (p=0.436) and minor (CD 1-2) postoperative complications (p=0.177), surgery time (p=0.288), mean intraoperative blood loss (p=0.144) and length of hospital-stay (p=0.631). Fluorescence navigation with indocyanine green does not affect the number of detected «positive» resection margins (R1) (p=0.883) but significantly increases the number of excised lymph nodes (p<0.001).

CONCLUSION

Intraoperative angiography and fluorescence navigation with indocyanine green are safe for intraoperative visualization of tumor and lymph nodes, as well as assessment of arterial blood supply. This technique is effective in traditional and minimally invasive surgeries for gastric cancer. Fluorescence navigation with indocyanine green significantly increases the number of excised lymph nodes.

[Fluorescence lymphography for sentinal lymph node biopsy in breast cancer]

OBJECTIVE

To study diagnostic value of fluorescence lymphography for sentinel lymph node biopsy in breast cancer.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The study enrolled 25 patients with breast cancer T1-2N0-1M0 between March 2023 and July 2023. Eight ones underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy. In 3 patients, morphologically verified metastases cN1 in axillary lymph nodes regressed after treatment. After sentinel lymph node biopsy, all patients underwent standard axillary lymphadenectomy. Subareolar injection of indocyanine green 1 ml (5 mg/ml) was performed immediately before surgery. Fluorescence imaging was performed using the MARS system.

RESULTS

Detection rate was 100%. Mean number of sentinel lymph nodes was 2. Metastatic lesions of sentinel lymph nodes were observed in 6 patients (24%) with micro-metastases in 2 cases. In 50% of cases, metastatic lesion did not extend beyond sentinel lymph nodes. False negative result was obtained in 1 (4%) patient. Mean number of metastases was 1.8 (max 3 in one patient).

CONCLUSION

Sentinel lymph node biopsy with fluorescence lymphography is a sensitive method. The advantages of this technique are visualization of subcutaneous lymphatic vessels and skin incision for access to sentinel lymph nodes, as well as visualization of sentinel lymph nodes after skin incision.

The Usefulness of a Three-Microneedle Device for Indocyanine Green Fluorescence Lymphography

Background: Indocyanine green (ICG) fluorescence lymphography is widely used to diagnose lymphedema. There is little consensus on the appropriate injection method for ICG fluorescence lymphangiography. We used a three-microneedle device (TMD) for skin injection of ICG solution and investigated its usefulness. Methods and Results: Thirty healthy volunteers were injected with ICG solution using a 27-gauge (27G) needle in one foot and a TMD in the other foot. Injection-related pain was evaluated using the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) and Face Rating Scale (FRS). The skin depth of the injected ICG solution was evaluated by injecting the solution into the skin of amputated lower limbs using a 27G needle or TMD using ICG fluorescence microscopy. The median and interquartile range of the NRS scores was 3 (3-4) and 2 (2-4) in the 27G needle and TMD groups, respectively; that of the FRS scores was 2 (2-3) and 2 (1-2) in the 27G needle and TMD groups, respectively. Injection-related pain was significantly lower with the TMD than with the 27G needle. The lymphatic vessels were similarly visible using both needles. The depth of the ICG solution varied for each injection with a 27G needle (400-1200 μm) and was consistent at ∼300-700 μm below the skin surface using the TMD. Injection depth was significantly different between the 27G needle and the TMD. Conclusions: Injection-related pain decreased using the TMD, and ICG solution depth was consistent on fluorescence lymphography. A TMD may be useful for ICG fluorescence lymphography. Clinical Trials Registry (UMIN-CTR; ID: UMIN000033425).

Lymphosome concept: Anatomical study of the lymphatic system

The gross anatomical study of the lymphatic system in humans and animals has been suspended for almost 100 years. This article introduces the author's technique for investigating the lymphatic system using the concept of the lymphosome. In revisiting the anatomical study of the lymphatic system, our updated knowledge can potentially be utilized either to reassure surgeons about their current procedures in the surgical management of cancers and lymphedema or assist them to refine them. J. Surg. Oncol. 2017;115:13-17. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.