Background: This study evaluated the efficacy of intraoperative fluorescent lymphography with indocyanine green (ICG) to reduce the incidence of chyle leakage post-esophagectomy.
Methods: This prospective observational cohort study was conducted among patients who underwent fluorescence lymphography during esophagectomy for cancer between May 2022 and August 2023 at a single tertiary referral center. After 1:3 propensity score matching, the results were compared between 59 patients who underwent fluorescence lymphography (ICG group) and a historical cohort who did not (non-ICG group). The primary outcome was the incidence of postoperative chyle leakage.
Results: The study included 59 patients in the ICG group and 177 non-ICG controls. ICG was ultrasound guided bilaterally injected into inguinal lymph nodes in 26 patients (44%), the small bowel mesentery in 30 patients (51%), and both sites in three patients (5%). Thoracic duct visualization was successful in 85%. Fluorescence lymphography influenced intraoperative management in 21 patients (36%), with placement of additional clips. The incidence of chyle leakage was 17% (10/59) in the ICG group and 10% (18/177) in the non-ICG group (p = 0.163). All patients with chyle leakage in the ICG group were treated conservatively versus two re-interventions in the non-ICG group (p=0.271).
Conclusions: Real-time ICG fluorescence lymphography is a promising tool for the intraoperative detection and management of chyle leakage during esophagectomy, although no reduction in chyle leakage was demonstrated. Further studies are required to elucidate the efficacy of fluorescence lymphography with ICG in reducing the incidence of postoperative chyle leakage.
Keywords: Chyle leakage; Esophagectomy; Indocyanine green; Minimally invasive surgery; Thoracic duct.
© 2026. The Author(s).