Intra-operative use of indocyanine green (ICG) angiography and lymphography has been reported as a valuable adjunct during microsurgical subinguinal varicocelectomy (MSV).1 The development of a video microsurgery platform and fluorescence imaging technology further facilitates identification of testicular arteries and lymphatics. We report the intra-operative imaging of two patients who underwent varicocele repair for grade 3 left varicoceles in February and March 2021 using the new platform.

The operations were performed under three-dimensional (3D) optical magnification images on the television monitors using the video microsurgery platform with VITOM® 3D system (KARL STORZ SE, Tuttlingen, Germany) as previously described.2 A pack of 25 mg ICG (Diagnogreen; Daiichi Sankyo Co, Tokyo, Japan) was dissolved in 10 mL water. Identification of testicular arteries was assisted by ICG angiography with intravenous injection of 2 mL (5 mg) ICG solution. After preservation of the testicular arteries, the differentiation between lymphatics and small veins was facilitated by ICG lymphography performed following intra-parenchymal testicular injection of 0.5 mL (1.25 mg) ICG solution followed by gentle testicular massage.3 The setting of ICG fluorescence imaging consisted of an IMAGE1 S™ 4U RUBINA™ with 4K 3D monitor system (KARL STORZ SE, Tuttlingen, Germany) and a HOPKINS™ Straight Forward Telescope 0° (10-mm diameter/20-cm length) [KARL STORZ SE, Tuttlingen, Germany]. We demonstrate intra-operative ICG angiography of patient 1, a 35-year-old man with primary infertility and oligoasthenoteratozoospermia. The testicular artery appeared green on the overlay image mode with clear simultaneous visualisation of white light microscopy images in the background (Fig 1a and b). In addition to the testicular artery, the small (<1 mm) cremasteric artery could also be identified in the monochromatic mode that further enhanced the contrast (Fig 1c). After successful preservation of the testicular arteries in patient 2, a 28-year-old man with left scrotal pain, two probable lymphatics were identified under white light microscopy (Fig 2a). The strong green colouration seen in the overlay mode after ICG injection unambiguously confirmed the successful preservation of lymphatics in MSV (Fig 2b).

Microsurgical subinguinal varicocelectomy is the standard for varicocele repair with excellent surgical outcomes reported.4 Nonetheless identification of testicular arteries and lymphatics under white light microscopy alone is operator-dependent and remains challenging for novice surgeons. Several adjuncts have been introduced to facilitate artery- and lymphatic-sparing procedures during MSV. One such adjunct is ICG fluorescence imaging.1 In our opinion, the new overlay mode provided by the latest platform is particularly useful for MSV. Without the need to switch between different modes, the combined regular white light image and near-infrared/ICG data allow accurate localisation of even the smallest vessel without ambiguity (Fig 3). Moreover, the display of ICG signal alone in white on a black background in the monochromatic mode maximises contrast and further improves identification of target vessels (Fig 3). We believe the advances of this surgical platform and imaging technology play a role in enhancing patient safety by increasing the success of arterial and lymphatic preservation in MSV.

Concept or design: CL Cho.
Acquisition of data: All authors.
Analysis or interpretation of data: All authors.
Drafting of the manuscript: All authors.
Critical revision of the manuscript for important intellectual content: All authors.

All authors had full access to the data, contributed to the study, approved the final version for publication, and take responsibility for its accuracy and integrity.

The authors have disclosed no conflict of interest.

This study received no specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.

Patients were treated in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki. Patients provided written informed consent for the procedures, and verbal consent for publication.

1. Cho CL. Is there any role for indocyanine green angiography in testicular artery preservation during microsurgical subinguinal varicocelectomy? In: Esteves SC, Cho CL, Majzoub A, Agarwal A, editors. Varicocele and Male Infertility: a Complete Guide. Switzerland AG: Springer Nature; 2019: 603-14. Crossref

2. Cho CL, Chu RW. Use of video microsurgery platform in microsurgical subinguinal varicocelectomy with indocyanine green angiography. Surg Prac 2019;23:20-4. Crossref

3. Cho CL, Chiu PK, Chu RW. Preliminary experience with indocyanine green lymphography during microsurgical subinguinal varicocelectomy. Surg Prac 2021;25:207-10. Crossref

4. Zini A. Varicocelectomy: microsurgical subinguinal technique is the treatment of choice. Can Urol Assoc J 2007;1:273-6.