Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41781775›Full record

ArticleSurgical endoscopy2026

Fluorescence lymphography in kidney transplantation (FLIKT-study)-real time intraoperative lymphography to avoid lymphocele formation.

M Hummels, T Wagner, D Buchner, A R Stier, R Datta, L Ischebeck, H F Fuchs, M Kann, F C Koehler, C Kurschat and 5 more

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Surgical endoscopy, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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0citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

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Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

15 authors.

M HummelsDepartment of General-, Visceral-, Thoracic- Und Transplantation Surgery, University of Cologne, Kerpenerstr. 62, 50937, Cologne, Germany.
T WagnerDepartment of General-, Visceral-, Thoracic- Und Transplantation Surgery, University of Cologne, Kerpenerstr. 62, 50937, Cologne, Germany.
D BuchnerDepartment of General-, Visceral-, Thoracic- Und Transplantation Surgery, University of Cologne, Kerpenerstr. 62, 50937, Cologne, Germany.
A R StierDepartment of General-, Visceral-, Thoracic- Und Transplantation Surgery, University of Cologne, Kerpenerstr. 62, 50937, Cologne, Germany.
R DattaDepartment of General-, Visceral-, Thoracic- Und Transplantation Surgery, University of Cologne, Kerpenerstr. 62, 50937, Cologne, Germany.
L IschebeckDepartment of General-, Visceral-, Thoracic- Und Transplantation Surgery, University of Cologne, Kerpenerstr. 62, 50937, Cologne, Germany.
H F FuchsDepartment of General-, Visceral-, Thoracic- Und Transplantation Surgery, University of Cologne, Kerpenerstr. 62, 50937, Cologne, Germany.
M KannDepartment II of Internal Medicine and Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.
F C KoehlerDepartment II of Internal Medicine and Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.
C KurschatDepartment II of Internal Medicine and Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.
C GietzenDepartment of Radiology, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.
J BeckerInstitute of Pathology, University Hospital of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.
C J BrunsDepartment of General-, Visceral-, Thoracic- Und Transplantation Surgery, University of Cologne, Kerpenerstr. 62, 50937, Cologne, Germany.
D L StippelDepartment of General-, Visceral-, Thoracic- Und Transplantation Surgery, University of Cologne, Kerpenerstr. 62, 50937, Cologne, Germany.
M N ThomasDepartment of General-, Visceral-, Thoracic- Und Transplantation Surgery, University of Cologne, Kerpenerstr. 62, 50937, Cologne, Germany. michael.thomas@uk-koeln.de.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-4121-3091

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundLymphocele formation is a frequent complication after kidney transplantation, occurring in up to 26% of recipients. It results mainly from lymphatic injury during dissection of the iliac vessels and can impair graft function by compressing the renal graft, vascular structures, or ureter. Improved intraoperative visualization of lymphatic vessels may reduce this risk. Indocyanine green (ICG) fluorescence technology enables real-time lymphatic mapping. This study evaluated the feasibility and clinical utility of ICG fluorescence-guided lymphography during kidney transplantation.

methodsIn a prospective single-center study, ICG lymphography was performed in 21 consecutive living-donor kidney transplantations. Under ultrasound guidance, ICG was injected into the subcutaneous tissue of the ipsilateral femoral triangle one hour before surgery. Lymphatic structures were visualized intraoperatively using a handheld fluorescence imaging system (Spy-Phi, Stryker) at four procedural time points. Identified lymphatic vessels were preserved, and any visualized lymphatic leakage was clipped. Postoperative surveillance included weekly ultrasonography in the early postoperative phase and MRI at 6 months.

resultsICG injection enabled clear visualization of retroperitoneal lymphatic vessels in all 21 cases. Lymphatic structures were successfully preserved during dissection. In two cases, intraoperative lymphatic leakage was detected and controlled. Postoperative ultrasound showed no perirenal fluid collections in any patient. MRI performed in 15/21 patients at 6 months confirmed absence of lymphocele formation.

conclusionICG-guided lymphography is a safe, feasible technique for intraoperative visualization of lymphatic vessels during kidney transplantation and may help prevent lymphocele formation.

Indexed as

Kidney TransplantationLymphoceleLymphographyPostoperative ComplicationsAdultFeasibility StudiesFemaleHumansIndocyanine GreenLymphatic VesselsMaleMiddle AgedOptical ImagingProspective StudiesIndocyanine GreenICGKidney transplantationLymphoceleLymphography

Identifiers

PMID41781775
PMCPMC13161336

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.