Fiber-optic near-infrared fluorescence spectroscopy using indocyanine green for semi-quantitative time–intensity curve assessment of the gastric conduit before and after retrosternal reconstruction: an initial clinical study

Background

Adequate perfusion at the planned anastomotic site is important during gastric conduit reconstruction after esophagectomy. However, objective intraoperative assessment remains challenging. This pilot study evaluated the feasibility of fiber-optic near-infrared fluorescence spectroscopy using indocyanine green (ICG) and descriptively characterized local semi-quantitative time–intensity curve (TIC) changes before and after retrosternal gastric conduit elevation.