Single-Plane Retroperitoneoscopic Adrenalectomy Guided by Indocyanine Green Dye: An Optimized Step

The objective of this study was to explore the perioperative outcomes of single-plane posterior retroperitoneoscopic adrenalectomy (SPRA) guided by indocyanine green dye (ICG) fluorescence imaging. A retrospective analysis of patients who underwent SPRA from April to September 2023 in our center was conducted. Patients were divided into the ICG group and the non-ICG group, based on whether they received intraoperative ICG fluorescence guided or not. Baseline and perioperative data were recorded and analyzed by R software (R 4.3.1). A total of 23 patients were enrolled in the study, with 12 in the ICG group and 11 in the non-ICG group. The demographics including age, gender, body mass index, or American Society of Anesthesiologists classification showed no significant differences between groups. There were obvious advantages in shortening adrenal gland localization time and total operative time, as well as reducing estimated blood loss in the ICG group compared with the non-ICG group (5.58 ± 0.36 minutes vs 7.55 ± 0.62 minutes, p < 0.001; 27.50 ± 5.46 minutes vs 45.00 ± 10.99 minutes, p < 0.001; 22.91 ± 7.57 mL vs 54.54 ± 18.90 mL, p < 0.001; respectively). Furthermore, patients in the ICG group exhibited significantly lower visual analog pain scale scores at 24 hours postoperatively and at discharge (p = 0.001 and p = 0.006, respectively). The oral intake intervals, hospital stays, and perioperative complications were comparable between groups. ICG-guided SPRA could be a safe and effective procedure for patients with adrenal tumors. This technique improves the accuracy and efficacy of adrenal gland localization and has shown benefits in perioperative outcomes. The use of ICG fluorescence guidance represents a promising clinical application.