Perfusion Rate Assessment by Near-infrared Fluorescence in Gastrointestinal Anastomoses

In this prospective, non-randomized cohort study, real-time intraoperative visualization using near-infrared-fluorescence by indocyanine green injection (ICG-NIRF) is performed at two to three time points during procedures of upper GI, lower GI and hepatobiliary surgery with anastomosis formation in open or laparoscopic surgery. Postoperatively, a detailed software-based assessment of each recording is performed to determine the objective ICG-NIRF perfusion rate before and after anastomosis formation, which is then correlated with the 30 day postoperative clinical outcome including occurrence of anastomotic leak.