The American Oncology Institute (AOI), Hyderabad, has announced an advancement in robotic esophageal cancer surgery by integrating Indocyanine Green (ICG) fluorescence-guided navigation with robotic technology. This will enable surgeons to perform highly precise tumour resections with enhanced safety and accuracy, the hospital said.

This was recently demonstrated during a robotic oesophagectomy performed on a 54-year-old patient who travelled from the United States to Hyderabad for treatment. The patient had been diagnosed with a 1.5 cm adenocarcinoma located at the gastroesophageal junction (GEJ).

Doctors at AOI said the procedure marked the successful implementation of a ‘Triple ICG Strategy’, a technique that uses fluorescence imaging to provide real-time visualisation of tumours, blood supply and critical anatomical structures during robotic surgery.

“By integrating ICG fluorescence with robotic surgery, we are moving from subjective surgery to objective, image-guided precision. This enhances safety and oncological outcomes,” said Senior Consultant Dr. Jagdishwar Goud.