Fluorescence-Guided Surgery in a Latin American Population: Patient Experiences in a Private Academic Hospital in Panama.

INTRODUCTION

Fluorescence-guided surgery using indocyanine green is a technique used worldwide, with demonstrated benefits such as improved intraoperative visualization of anatomical structures, greater precision in identifying lymphatic drainage, and enhanced assessment of tissue vascularization. This study aimed to describe patients' experiences with fluorescence-guided surgery in a private hospital in Panama.

METHODS

A descriptive, observational, retrospective study was conducted between 2019 and 2024 at Hospital Pacífica Salud, Panama.

Results

A total of 432 patients were included: sentinel lymph node mapping in breast cancer (n = 61), gastrointestinal surgeries (n = 97), and gallbladder procedures (n = 274). The mean age was 57 years for sentinel node cases, 56 years for gastrointestinal surgeries, and 46 years for gallbladder surgeries. Among gastrointestinal cases, 89 (92%) were elective, and 8 (8%) were emergencies, with an average blood loss of 113 mL. The ureter was identified through direct visualization in all cases, and no anastomotic leak was recorded. In laparoscopic cholecystectomies, 196 (72%) were elective, and 78 (28%) were emergency procedures, with an average blood loss of 1.9 mL, and no bile duct injuries were reported. For the sentinel lymph node group, successful identification was achieved in 61 (100%) of cases. No procedure-related mortality or allergic reactions were reported.

CONCLUSION

The experience documented here helps fill the gap in regional data and underscores the need for continued research into its benefits across diverse populations, advancing the goal of more precise, personalized, and safer surgery.