Fluorescence-guided pediatric surgery: The past, present, and future

Fluorescence-guided surgery (FGS) is becoming a common practice as an intraoperative aid in both adult and pediatric populations. It makes use of fluorescent contrast agents to identify targeted structures intraoperatively for precise resection with the help of a near-infrared (NIR) light camera. A wide spectrum of contrast agents and imaging platforms has been developed throughout the years to enhance their use for intraoperative tissue differentiation. FGS is applied in pediatric surgery for various indications, including thoracic, gastrointestinal, hepatobiliary, urogenital, oncology, and vascular surgery. Despite the popularity of fluorescence-guided pediatric surgery, the current literature is limited. The present review offers an up-to-date appraisal of the development and current status of FGS in the field of pediatric surgery.