Fluorescent Imaging and Methylene Blue: Ureter Study
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Investigating the use of fluorescent imaging and methylene blue to identify and prevent ureteric injuries during laparoscopic and open colorectal surgery
IRAS ID
158124
Contact name
Trevor Yeung
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Research summary
The main aim of this project is to assess whether intravenous methylene blue can help identify the ureters during open and laparoscopic (keyhole) surgery. The ureters are small tubes that link the kidney to the bladder and, if not properly identified during surgery, may be damaged.
Methylene blue has been safely given to patients IV for many years and it is fluorescent. It is removed by the kidney and will therefore travel through the ureters. Methylene blue shines brightly (becomes fluorescent) when viewed under red light.
We wish to compare the ability of methylene blue with white light to identify the location of the ureters during colorectal surgery. We would like to recruit 50 patients undergoing colorectal surgery (25 for keyhole/laparoscopic, 25 for open procedures). Each patient will act as their own control.
To detect the fluorescence, we would use special fluorescent laparoscopes for keyhole surgery, and wide-field cameras for open surgery.
The potential benefits of this procedure are to identify the ureters during surgery and therefore prevent inadvertent damage to them
It is hoped that we will be able to detect the signal emitted from methylene blue in the ureters. This will allow the surgeon to determine the anatomy of the ureters during the operation and avoid inadvertent injury.
Funding source: Nuffield Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Oxford
Recruitment sites: Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust.REC name
East Midlands - Derby Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/EM/1107
Date of REC Opinion
14 Aug 2014
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion