The use of fluorescence angiography to assess bowel viability in the acute setting: an international, multi-centre case series

Johanna J. Joosten, Grégoire Longchamp, Mohammad F. Khan, Wytze Lameris, Mark I. van Berge Henegouwen, Wilhelmus A. Bemelman, Ronan A. Cahill, Roel Hompes, Frédéric Ris

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8 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Introduction: Assessing bowel viability can be challenging during acute surgical procedures, especially regarding mesenteric ischaemia. Intraoperative fluorescence angiography (FA) may be a valuable tool for the surgeon to determine whether bowel resection is necessary and to define the most appropriate resection margins. The aim of this study is to report on FA use in the acute setting and to judge its impact on intraoperative decision making. Materials and methods: This is a multi-centre, retrospective case series of patients undergoing emergency abdominal surgery between February 2016 and 2021 in three general/colorectal units where intraoperative FA was performed to assess bowel viability. Primary endpoint was change of management after the FA assessment. Results: A total of 93 patients (50 males, 66.6 ± 19.2 years, ASA score ≥ III in 85%) were identified and studied. Initial surgical approach was laparotomy in 66 (71%) patients and laparoscopy in 27 (29% and seven, 26% conversions). The most common aetiologies were mesenteric ischaemia (n = 42, 45%) and adhesional/herniae-related strangulation (n = 41, 44%). In 50 patients a bowel resection was performed. Overall rates of anastomosis after resection, reoperation and 30-day mortality were 48% (n = 24/50, one leak), 12% and 18%, respectively. FA changed management in 27 (29%) patients. In four patients (4% overall), resection was avoided and in 21 (23%) extra bowel length was preserved (median 50 cm of bowel saved, IQR 28–98) although three patients developed further ischaemia. FA prompted extended resection (median of 20 cm, IQR 10–50 extra bowel) in six (6%) patients. Conclusion: Intraoperative use of FA impacts surgical decisions regarding bowel resection for intestinal ischaemia, potentially enabling bowel preservation in approximately one out of four patients. Prospective studies are needed to optimize the best use of this technology for this indication and to determine standards for the interpretation of FA images and the potential subsequent need for second-look surgeries.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)7369-7375
Number of pages7
JournalSurgical endoscopy
Volume36
Issue number10
Early online date2022
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Oct 2022

Keywords

  • Acute setting
  • Case series
  • Change of management
  • Fluorescence angiography
  • Ischaemia

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