Indocyanine green (ICG) fluorescence-guided lymphatic mapping enhances lymph node dissection and survival rates in left-sided colon and rectal cancer.

• ICG technique increased lymph node retrieval (20.8 vs. 16.3 nodes) and decreased complications (11.7% vs. 17.5%).
• It was linked to a lower risk of inadequate lymph node retrieval and predicted better overall survival (HR 2.544).

Incorporating ICG imaging into surgical practice may significantly improve outcomes in colorectal cancer procedures.

• Over 95% of apical lymph nodes were within 2.2 cm of the inferior mesenteric artery, indicating personalized drainage patterns.