Fluorescence Image-Guided Lymphadenectomy in Robotic Gastrectomy

Background Gastric cancer is the fourth most widespread cancer in the world and is characterized by high mortality rates [1, 2]. A multidisciplinary context, in which surgery plays the main role, is essential to offer the best therapeutic strategy. Lymph node involvement in gastric cancer is present in 2-18% when the depth of the tumor invasion is limited to the mucosal or submucosal layer, but rises to 50% when the tumor involves the subserosa [3]. Lymphadenectomy is a fundamental surgical phase that must guarantee the oncological radicality and allow an appropriate tumor staging. Although it is among the most relevant factors influencing long-term survival, its extension and standardization is still the subject of much debate. The two latest editions of the Japanese Gastric Cancer Association (JGCA) guidelines [4] recommend a dissection on different levels (D1, D1 +, D2) depending on the type of gastrectomy and the clinical stage of the tumor. In recent years, some researchers have tried to apply the concept of "sentinel lymph node" to gastric cancer [5-7]. Although some do not consider that terminology the appropriate one in the context of gastric cancer, because of the multidirectional gastric lymphatic flows, several studies have highlighted interesting aspects, such as: limiting an extensive lymphatic dissection when not necessary, identifying the drainage routes outside the standard anatomical planes, possible assistance in minimally invasive procedures [8]. Most of the experiences in lymph nodes mapping were performed with a radio-isotope (Tc99m) associated or not with the intraoperative use of vital dyes (Blue dye). More recently, the properties of the ICG have been studied. This is a fluorescence dye, that can be detected in the NIR [9, 10]. The development of imaging tools using "NIR / ICG" technology is therefore an innovative approach for visualizing tumors, vascular structures, lymphatic channels, and lymph nodes [11]. Some advantages of the ICG are: reduced toxicity, absence of radioactivity, low cost, safe administration both intravenously and endoscopically through the submucosa or subserosa, protein binding without changing molecular structures, macrophages interaction at the lymph node level. Devices for fluorescence imaging are currently available in both open and minimally invasive surgery.

In this field, robotic surgery has been becoming of great interest thanks to the manufacturing of new instruments which, compared to laparoscopy, allow to improve manual skills and gentleness in challenging movements [12]. The Da Vinci Xi robotic system has also produced an innovative imaging technology for ICG visualization made up with a laser source integrated in the robotic camera (Firefly). The surgeon at the console has therefore a 3-D vision that can switch to the fluorescence mode without the need to change the camera. Few clinical experiences have been reported to date [12]. Published articles refer to assistance in colo-rectal and hepato-biliary surgery for vessels or biliary structures visualization, while its use during lymph node dissection for gastric cancer has not yet been the subject of study protocols.

Hypothesis: fluorescence imaging during lymphadenectomy in gastric cancer can significantly improve the quality of the dissection through a better visualization of anatomical planes and allow tailored dissections. Moreover, the tumor status in the fluorescent nodes could predict the nodes status in the overall specimen with high accuracy rate.

Methods General study design: the overall objective is verifying the feasibility and the role of a lymphadenectomy assisted by fluorescence imaging during robotic gastrectomy.

Two levels of investigation are planned:

• to detect the possible advantages of a fluorescence-guided surgery ("Navigation Surgery");
• to evaluate the possibility of considering the lymph nodes labeled by the ICG as predictive of the state of tumor diffusion ("Targeted Surgery") Type of study: Interventional study.

Specific aims:

1. To verify the ability of the procedure to highlight the main tumor lymphatic drainage pathways.
2. To validate the concept of Navigation Surgery in gastric surgery by comparing the group of the experimental procedure with a control group undergoing the same type of surgery but not assisted by fluorescence.
3. To find a correlation between the nodes marked by the ICG and the remaining nodes removed during the procedure.
4. To identify the characteristics of those patients in whom the ICG can effectively discriminate the type of lymphadenectomy to be performed.

Data collection: the following information will be collected for each patient.

• General variables: demographic, histopathological, intra and post-operative features, complications. - Specific variables: total number of lymph nodes retrieved (LNs), Fluorescent lymph nodes (FLNs), metastatic LNs, LNs by station, FLNs outside the standard dissection plane, FLNs status (positive or negative for tumor), non-fluorescent LNs status

Definitions and subdivision of patients:

• True positive patients: patients in which FLNs positive for tumor are detected when LNs positive for tumor are found in the analysis of the surgical specimen.
• False positive patients: patients in which FLNs positive for tumor are detected when LNs negative for tumor are found in the analysis of the surgical specimen.
• True negative patients: patients in which FLNs negative for tumor are detected when LNs negative for tumor are found in the analysis of the surgical specimen.
• False negative patients: patients in which FLNs negative for tumor are detected when LNs positive for tumor are found in the analysis of the surgical specimen.

Sample size: considering the volume of patients included in published studies available in the literature on the use of fluorescence imaging and adding that the present project is the first to describe the use of robotic technology with fluorescence assistance in gastric cancer, a total of 20 patients will be enrolled for the experimental procedure. An additional sample including 20 patients will be the control group, based on the same eligibility criteria. The total sample of patients planned for the present study is therefore of 40 subjects.

Statistical analysis: SPSS v23 will be used to perform data analysis. The dichotomous variables will be expressed as numbers and percentages, while the continuous variables as mean and standard deviation, or median and IQR (minimum and maximum values). For the comparison with the control group, the continuous variables will be analyzed with the T test for independent samples and a value of P <0.05 will be considered statistically significant.

Impact on clinical practice and healthcare system: this project can pave the way for a new concept of lymphadenectomy in gastric cancer involving minimally invasive surgery. Patients could benefit from a more tailored approach to their disease.