Abstract
Background
Indocyanine Green—Angiography (ICG-A) has been recently introduced for visceral perfusion evaluation. Aim of this study is to assess whether the intraoperative use of ICG-A can improve the evaluation of blood supply of the gastric conduit in Ivor-Lewis esophagectomy for cancer.
Methods
This is an interim analysis of a prospective interventional study ongoing at our Institution, on 160 Ivor-Lewis esophagectomy patients. After an intravenous bolus of ICG during the abdominal and thoracic stage, the gastric conduit perfusion was evaluated by means of a near infrared ICG-A and graded as ‘well’, ‘hypo-perfused’ or ‘ischemic’. If present, the ischemic or hypo-perfused area was resected. Demographic and clinical parameters and others, such as conduit perfusion speed, intra or post-operative hypotensive episodes have been analyzed.
Results
Currently 26 patients have been enrolled. An anastomotic leak of any grade was identified in 7 patients. Patients were divided in Group A (7 patients) who developed a leak and Group B (19 patients) who do not. No statistically significant differences were evidenced on demographic and preoperative clinical features, except for higher cigarette smoking history incidence in Group A. Those who developed a leak had an ‘hypo-perfused’ conduit at ICG-A in 71.4% and those who do not in only 15.8% (p 0.014). Median time from ICG injection to appearance of fluorescence at the basis of the gastric conduit was significantly longer in Group A than in Group B, 36 sec. (32–43.5) vs 28 sec. (20–39.8) (p 0.04) but median gastric conduit perfusion speed was similar. Patients in Group B had a higher median width of the conduit than Group A, 5cm (5.0–6.0) vs 4 (4.0–5.0) (p 0.032). Post-operative prolonged hypotensive episodes were seen more frequently in Group A than Group B (p 0.028). No differences were evidenced in terms of fluids infusions, blood loss, conduit length or intraoperative hypotensive episodes.
Conclusion
Preliminary results seem to show the usefulness of ICG-A in identifying patients at risk of leakage. Nevertheless no reduction of leakage incidence was induced by surgical strategy modification, probably because post-operative events may affect clinical course too. Definitive data have to be awaited.
Disclosure
All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.