Preoperative colonic cancer tattooing using the near-infrared fluorescence laparoscopic imaging system.

INTRODUCTION: To identify a colorectal cancer tumor site for surgery, preoperative endoscopic marking methods, such as India ink tattooing or clipping, are generally performed. However, India ink tattooing causes problems such as impaired surgical view because of adverse events, ink leakage into the peritoneal cavity, and peritonitis or adhesion ileus as a result of leakage. The clipping method requires checking by palpation, which is unsuitable for laparoscopic surgery.

MATERIALS AND SURGICAL TECHNIQUES: We devised a preoperative marking method for colorectal cancer surgery (laparotomy) by applying the fluorescent dye indocyanine green. Herein, we report its usefulness.

DISCUSSION: We report the application of fluorescent dye indocyanine green in laparoscopic surgery.