Background: This is the first report on the application of the Da Vinci-compatible near-infrared fluorescent clips (NIRFCs) as tumor markers to localize colorectal cancer lesions during robotic surgery. In laparoscopic and robotic colorectal surgeries, the accuracy of tumor marking is a critical issue that remains unresolved. This study aimed to determine the accuracy of NIRFCs in localizing tumors for intestinal resection. Indocyanine green (ICG) was also used to verify the feasibility of safely performing an anastomosis.
Conclusions: In robotic colorectal surgery, fluorescence guidance with firefly technology offers two advantages. First, it has an oncological advantage, because marking with the Da Vinci-compatible NIRFCs allows for real-time monitoring of the lesion location. This enables sufficient intestinal resection by grasping the lesion precisely. Second, it reduces the risk of postoperative complications, because ICG evaluation with firefly technology prevents postoperative anastomotic leakage. Fluorescence guidance in robot-assisted surgery is useful. In the future, the application of this technique should be evaluated for lower rectal cancer.
