ICG fluorescence-guided sentinel lymph node biopsy for decision-making in lateral lymph node dissection in local advanced rectal cancer: a retrospective study.

Local advanced rectal cancer (LARC) carries high recurrence risks, especially with lateral lymph node (LLN) involvement. This study aims to evaluate the role of ICG-guided sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) in patients with clinical negative LLNs (maximum diameter < 7 mm), potentially reducing unnecessary surgeries and associated complications in patients with LARC. A retrospective analysis of 301 consecutive patients with lower LARC who underwent fluorescent lateral pelvic sentinel lymph node biopsy (FL-SLNB) or conventional LLND at the Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences between 2018 and 2022 was conducted. Clinical and pathological data were collected, and the patients were grouped into FL-SLNB and non-SLNB groups. Postoperative complications, recurrence rates, and survival outcomes were assessed. Statistical analysis was performed using χ² tests, Mann-Whitney U tests, Kaplan-Meier survival curves, and Cox proportional hazards models. FL-SLNB (173 patients) showed better perioperative outcomes than non-SLNB (128 patients), with shorter hospital stays (7 vs. 10 days, P = 0.027), less blood loss (150 vs. 180 mL, P = 0.032), and fewer complications: intraoperative bleeding (2.9% vs. 6.3%, P = 0.041), anastomotic leakage (1.7% vs. 3.9%, P = 0.045), and urinary dysfunction (3.5% vs. 7.0%, P = 0.039). No significant differences were observed in survival or recurrence rates (P > 0.05). pN stage was a significant predictor of distant metastasis (HR 1.953, P = 0.037). ICG-guided SLNB enhanced surgical precision and reduced unnecessary LLND in lower LARC with clinically negative LLNs, and improved surgical decision-making and minimizes postoperative complications.