A case in which a near-infrared ray catheter (NIRC) was effectively applied in laparoscopic sigmoidectomy for a sigmoidovesical fistula

• Published in: International journal of surgery case reports 2022-01, Vol.90, p.106641-106641, Article 106641
• Main Authors: Okamoto, Atsuko, Ryu, Shunjin, Kitagawa, Takahiro, Marukuchi, Rui, Hara, Keigo, Ito, Ryusuke, Nakabayashi, Yukio
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Case Report; Colovesical fistula; Fluorescence; Ureteral catheter
• ISSN: 2210-2612; 2210-2612
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijscr.2021.106641

A 40-year-old man visited the hospital for a refractory urinary tract infection. A sigmoidovesical fistula resulting from a sigmoidovesical diverticulum was diagnosed, and laparoscopic surgery was performed. To avoid ureteral injury during surgery for highly advanced cancer and inflammatory diseases, a ureteral stent is generally placed before the procedure. However, in this case, surgery was performed using a near-infrared ray catheter (NIRC), which emits fluorescence when irradiated with near-infrared light. By clearly observing the pathway of the ureter via near-infrared light, the integrity of the ureter could be preserved, and sigmoidectomy was safely performed. The visual navigation of the ureter with NIRC was especially useful during surgery for a colovesical fistula with marked surrounding inflammatory changes and a high risk of ureteral damage. •To avoid ureteral injury during surgery, surgery was performed using a near-infrared ray catheter (NIRC)•NIRC could be observed clearly the pathway of the ureter via near-infrared light.•The visual navigation of the ureter with NIRC was especially useful during surgery for a colovesical fistula.