This innovative study tackles the challenge of precisely locating tumors during minimally invasive colorectal surgery. Traditionally, blue dye has been used for preoperative marking, but it can lead to complications when spilled inside the body. The researchers introduced a new method using a near-infrared (NIR) fluorescent marker called AFS81x. In experiments on pigs, they successfully created NIR fluorescent tattoos in the colon, which remained clearly visible for at least 10 days. These persistent NIR tattoos promise to enhance tumor localization without hindering the recognition of surgical structures during laparoscopy.
Journal Article by Thomaschewski M, Lipp M (…) Mittmann K et 4 al. in Surg Endosc
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