Clinical application of indocyanine green fluorescence imaging technology in laparoscopic rectal cancer surgery

Rectal cancer is one of the most widespread malignant tumors in the world, with the common treatment methods being surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy. Due to its minimally invasive nature and associated rapid postoperative recovery, laparoscopic radical surgery has become one of the preferred options for treating rectal cancer. With the continuous advancement of surgical techniques and the integration of advanced technologies, especially the application of indocyanine green (ICG) fluorescence technology, the precision and efficiency of surgeries have been greatly improved, fundamentally changing the approach to complex operations. One of the most innovative advancements is the use of ICG fluorescence navigation, particularly in laparoscopic colorectal cancer surgery. This technology leverages the properties of ICG, a near-infrared fluorescent dye, to enhance the visualization of key anatomical structures during surgery. The application of ICG fluorescence technology in laparoscopic rectal cancer surgery is a significant breakthrough, providing surgeons with a novel approach for improving intraoperative decision-making. This study aimed to examine the clinical application of ICG fluorescence imaging technology in laparoscopic rectal cancer surgery. A patient with rectal cancer was selected, and ICG was injected before surgery. During the procedure, a laparoscopic fluorescence imaging system was used to observe fluorescence signals from the tumor and lymph node areas in real time. The fluorescence imaging results were compared with those of conventional imaging to assess the role of this technology in tumor resection and lymph node dissection. Postoperative pathological examination was conducted to verify the accuracy of the imaging results, and postoperative follow-up was carried out to further determine the clinical value of ICG fluorescence imaging in rectal cancer surgery. In addition, we developed a case report guide containing 13 components: title, keywords, abstract, introduction, patient information, clinical findings, timeline, diagnostic evaluation, treatment intervention, follow-up, results, discussion, patient perspectives, and informed consent. Considering our findings, we believe that ICG fluorescence navigation technology will play an increasingly important role in the surgical treatment of rectal cancer.