Development of a plant-based surgical training model for fluorescence-guided cancer surgery

Background

Fluorescence-guided surgery (FGS) can help surgeons to discriminate tumor tissue from adjacent normal tissues using fluorescent tracers.

Methods

We developed a surgical training model, manufactured using sustainable vegetable organic material with indocyanine green (ICG)-containing “tumor.” Surgeons evaluated the model with both the closed-field and endoscopic fluorescence imaging devices and assessed its efficacy to identify residual tumor after enucleation using electrocautery.

Results

Strong correlations of fluorescence were obtained at all working distance (3, 5, 7, and 10 cm), showing the robustness of fluorescence signal for the closed-field and endoscopic fluorescence imaging devices. The higher fluorescence signals were obtained in the wound bed in the closed-field fluorescence imaging device and the residual tumor could be clearly identified by fluorescence endoscopy.

Conclusions

Our FGS training model may provide experience for surgeons unfamiliar with optical surgery and subsequent tissue interactions. The model seemed particularly helpful in teaching surgeons the principles of FGS.