Laparoscopic Tracer Technique for Liver Lymphatic Drainage by Injecting Indocyanine Green into the Glisson Pedicle

Currently, an effective tracer technique for lymphatic drainage during laparoscopic surgery has not been established. This study aimed to elucidate a new fluorescence, imaging technique targeting the hepatic lymphatic drainage area, using indocyanine green (ICG).

A patient diagnosed with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) located in segment 8 of the liver was injected with ICG into the connective tissue of the Glisson pedicle supplied by the lesion’s liver segment, avoiding the bile duct, portal vein, and hepatic artery. This was performed under the guidance of laparoscopic ultrasonographic localization to trace the lymph nodes.

The lymphatic drainage area traced intraoperatively by ICG was consistent with the definition of the right regional lymph nodes for ICC. The lymph nodes were dissected, followed by addition of a fluorescence tracer.

Mastering intraoperative ultrasonic puncture technology can enable effective and accurate tracing of the lymph nodes of the liver segment where the lesion is located. However, the technical standards for this methodology need to be established through further studies.