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Chromophores in operative surgery: Current practice and rationalized development.
Ernest A Azzopardi1, Siân-Eleri Owens2, Maxwell Murison3
1Swansea University Medical School, Swansea University, Singleton Campus, UK; School of Management, Bay Campus, Swansea University, UK; The Welsh Centre for Burns and Plastic Surgery, Morriston Hospital, Swansea, UK.
Summary
Synthetic dyes are increasingly used in surgery for diagnostics and treatment, spanning UV to NIR spectrums. This review classifies surgical chromophores, aiding risk assessment and clinical development of these optical agents.
Area of Science:
- Surgical Innovation
- Optical Imaging
- Medical Diagnostics
Background:
- Synthetic chromophores are preferred over endogenous agents in surgical practice.
- Applications span diagnostics and operative treatment, utilizing UV to near-infrared (NIR) spectra.
- Review covers rationale, risks, and future potential of surgical chromophores.
Purpose of the Study:
- To propose a surgically relevant classification system for chromophores.
- To facilitate risk/benefit analysis for surgeons using chromophores.
- To guide clinically oriented development of new contrast agents.
Main Methods:
- Comprehensive literature search using EMBASE, PubMed, PubMed Central, and OVIDSp.
- Boolean search string: "dye OR Lake OR Stain OR chromophore" AND "tox$ OR terato* OR carcino$ OR Allerg$ OR surg$ OR clinic".
- Back-referencing through Web of Knowledge™ for additional relevant studies.
Main Results:
- A novel classification system for surgical chromophores is proposed.
- The system aids surgeons in evaluating the risks and benefits of chromophore use.
- Facilitates informed clinical development of specialized contrast agents.
Conclusions:
- Future development must balance practical constraints with minimizing adverse effects.
- Enhancing imaging equipment is crucial for fully exploiting chromophore technology.
- Optimizing optically active surgical adjuncts requires addressing safety and utility.
Keywords:
Azo derivativeBonney's blueChromophoreContrast agentDyeFluorophoreIndocyanine greenInfraredMelaninMethylene blueOptical adjunctPatent Blue VPhenothiazinePigmentPorphyrinStainTriarylmethaneTriphenylmethaneUltravioletlymphadenectomyopticalsentinel lymph node biopsysurgery
