Sentinel node navigation surgery using near-infrared indocyanine green fluorescence in early gastric cancer.

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of indocyanine green (ICG) fluorescent method for sentinel lymph node detection in early gastric cancer.

Methods: Between December 2012 and December 2014, 28 cases of pilot examination were performed at Seoul National University Bundang Hospital. Advanced version of multispectral fluorescence organoscope was used to identify sentinel node by quantitative estimation of ICG fluorescent signal intensity. Sensitivity, specificity, false positive value were analyzed and compared with dual tracer method.

Results: A total of 443 lymph nodes in 28 cases were examined and 184 sentinel nodes (41.5%) were identified by dual tracer method. The sensitivity using near-infrared ICG method was 98.9%. The specificity was 76.0% and false positive rate was 25.4% compared with dual tracer method. The adequate threshold for sentinel node detection was considered as 10% of maximum signal intensity.

Conclusion: New near-infrared ICG fluorescent method could be a promising protocol for sentinel node navigation surgery in early gastric cancer.