Infrared intraoperative fluorescence imaging using indocyanine green in thoracic surgery

Thoracic surgery faces many unique challenges that require innovative solutions. The increase in utilization of minimally invasive practices, poor overall cancer survival and significant morbidity of key operations remain key obstacles to overcome. Intraoperative fluorescence imaging is a process by which fluorescent dyes and imaging systems are used as adjuncts for surgeons in the operating room. Other surgical subspecialists have shown that intraoperative fluorescence imaging can be applied as a practical adjunct to their practices. Thoracic surgeons over the last 15 years have also used intraoperative fluorescence imaging for sentinel lymph node mapping, lung mapping, oesophageal conduit vascular perfusion and lung nodule identification. This review describes some of the key studies that demonstrate the applications of intraoperative near-infrared fluorescence imaging.