469 ASSESSMENT OF PERFUSION OF GASTRIC CONDUIT AND PROXIMAL ESOPHAGEAL STUMP BY INDOCYANINE GREEN FLUORESCENCE IMAGING IN PATIENTS UNDERGOING ESOPHAGECTOMY
Abstract Post esophagectomy anastomotic leakage and stricture are crucial factors in determining morbidity and mortality. Good vascularity of the gastric conduit is essential to avoid this complications. This prospective study assesses the utility of intraoperative indocyanine green (ICG) fluorescence imaging to determine gastric conduit vascularity in patients undergoing esophagectomy. Methods Thirteen consecutive patients who were undergoing esophagectomy for carcinoma middle, lower third esophagus or gastro-esophageal junction from August 2019 to September 2019, were included. Three patients underwent laparoscopic-assisted transhiatal esophagectomy, ten thoraco-laparoscopic assisted esophagectomy. Reconstruction was done by gastric pull up via posterior mediastinal route. Vascularity of gastric conduit was assessed by the near-infrared camera using ICG. Results On visual assessment of perfusion at the tip of gastric conduit, it was dusky in 11 patients, pink in two. Fuorescence imaging showed inadequate perfusion at the tip of conduit in 12 patients, needing revision. In one patient visual inspection showed adequate perfusion, but ICG disclosed poor vascularity requiring revision of the conduit’s tip. Resection of the devitalized portion of the proximal esophageal stump was needed in 5 patients both by visual and ICG assessment. The median time to appearance of blush from the time of injection of dye was 15 seconds (10 to 23 seconds). Conclusion Visual inspection of the gastric conduit vascularity can underestimate perfusion and hence can compromise resection of the devitalized part. ICG fluorescence imaging is more objective and promising means to ascertain the vascularity of gastric conduit during an esophagectomy. It could complement the visual inspection to decide the site of anastomosis.