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Fluorescent Imaging & Methylene Blue: Ureter Study

Investigating the Use of Fluorescent Imaging and Methylene Blue to Identify and Prevent Ureteric Injuries During Laparoscopic and Open Colorectal Surgery

Status
Completed
Phases
Phase 2
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT03177070
Enrollment
50
Registered
2017-06-06
Start date
2016-05-09
Completion date
2017-05-02
Last updated
2017-06-06

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Surgery, Surgery--Complications, Ureteric Injury

Keywords

Ureteric injury, Colorectal Surgery

Brief 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 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. This study aims to compare the ability of methylene blue with white light to identify the location of the ureters during colorectal surgery. Recruitment will include 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, a special fluorescent laparoscope for keyhole surgery will be utilised, and a wide-field camera will be used 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 near infra-red light emitting from the ureters will be detected. 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.

Interventions

DRUGMethylene Blue

As described above. Intravenous injection with visualisation via fluorescence enabled laparoscope.

Sponsors

University of Oxford
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
NA
Intervention model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary purpose
OTHER
Masking
NONE

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
Yes

Inclusion criteria

* Participant is willing and able to give informed consent for participation in the study. * Male or Female, aged 18 years or above. * Patients undergoing laparoscopic or open colorectal surgery * In the Investigator's opinion, is able and willing to comply with all study requirements.

Exclusion criteria

The participant may not enter the study if ANY of the following apply: * Patient who is unable or unwilling to give informed consent * Female participant who is pregnant, lactating or planning pregnancy during the course of the trial. * Significant renal or hepatic impairment. * Any patients with previous allergies to Methylene Blue * Any patients at risk of serotonin syndrome, including those taking serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) or serotonin reuptake inhibitors (e.g. duloxetine, sibutramine, venlafaxine, clomipramine, imipramine) * Patients with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD deficiency)

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
To compare the change in ureter identification over time using white light versus intravenous methylene blue in each patient.This will be assessed at the following time points post methylene blue administration: 0 minutes; 5 minutes; 10 minutes; 20 minutes; 30 minutes; 40 minutes; 50 minutes; 60 minutes; 70 minutes; 80 minutes; 90 minutes; 100 minutes.Ureter identification with and without fluorescence.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Fluorescence quantification following administration of methylene blue between dosing cohorts post methylene blue administration.This will be assessed at the following time points post methylene blue administration: 0 minutes; 5 minutes; 10 minutes; 20 minutes; 30 minutes; 40 minutes; 50 minutes; 60 minutes; 70 minutes; 80 minutes; 90 minutes; 100 minutes.Fluorescence quantification is measured using signal to background ratio. Signal is assessed on images using software that determines the brightness of a selected area using the average intensity of Red, Green and Blue pixels.

Countries

United Kingdom

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026