Use of fluorescence to guide surgical resection in vulvo-vaginal neoplasia: Two case reports

J Gynecol Obstet Hum Reprod. 2021 Jun;50(6):101768. doi: 10.1016/j.jogoh.2020.101768. Epub 2020 Apr 23.

Abstract

We report hereby two cases of fluorescence-guided surgical resection with Indocyanine green in vulvo-vaginal neoplasia. The first case was a 86-year old patient who had a high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion of the left small lip and on the vulvar fork. After a first incomplete surgery, a second fluorescence-guided vulvectomy was performed with ICG injected intravenously to determine intraoperatively surgical margins. At final pathologic examination, surgical margins were free of disease and postoperative course was uneventful. The second case was a 44-year old patient who had a clear cell carcinoma of the upper vagina. She underwent a fluorescence-guided colpo-hysterectomy with pelvic lymphadenectomy. ICG was injected one centimeter around the tumor and highlighted intraoperatively the limits of the vaginal resection. On the specimens, surgical margins were also negative. Peritumoral or intravenous injection of ICG are promising techniques for the intraoperative identification of surgical margins in gynecologic malignancies.

Keywords: Fluorescence-guided surgery; Gynecologic oncology; Indocyanine green; Vaginal cancer; Vulvar cancer.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma, Clear Cell / pathology
  • Adenocarcinoma, Clear Cell / surgery
  • Adult
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Carcinoma in Situ / pathology
  • Carcinoma in Situ / surgery
  • Coloring Agents
  • Female
  • Fluorescence*
  • Humans
  • Indocyanine Green*
  • Margins of Excision*
  • Vaginal Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Vaginal Neoplasms / surgery*
  • Vulvar Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Vulvar Neoplasms / surgery*

Substances

  • Coloring Agents
  • Indocyanine Green