Mapping the Mesentery Using ICG

Indocyanine green (ICG) fluorescent imaging has been used in colorectal surgery to assess intraoperative blood flow to the colon. However, its use has expanded to allow imaging of the lymphatic drainage within the mesentery in cancer resections. This technique can been used for real-time visualization of lymph nodes, and the detection of sentinel lymph nodes, lateral sidewall nodes, metastatic lymph nodes, and peritoneal metastases. Ultimately, this provides a more informative map of the mesentery displaying lymphatics and blood flow. The technique is economical and easy to use by the surgeon intraoperatively. ICG lymphangiography has the potential to aid the surgeon to ensure complete lymphadenectomy is performed in cancer resections.