Indocyanine green fluorescence imaging localization: A helpful addition to laparoscopic dissection and division of rectourethral fistulae

•Rectourethral fistulae were assessed using indocyanine green fluorescence imaging during LAARP.•Accurate intraoperative identification of the fistulous rectal tract was possible.•Indocyanine green-assisted visualization can reduce urological complications.•Indocyanine green injection is a feasible adjunct to locate rectourethral fistulae. Rectourethral fistulae (RUF) are the most prevalent type of anorectal malformations in boys, with various surgical treatment methods investigated in recent years. Currently, research is focused on preventing urethral damage or urethral diverticulum formation caused by imprecise dissection during the laparoscopically assisted anorectal pull-through (LAARP) technique. This study aimed to determine the efficacy of indocyanine green (ICG) fluorescence imaging to improve the localization and separation of the RUF during laparoscopic surgery. ICG was intrarectally injected through a pre-inserted gastric tube at the distal enterostomy port to locate the fistula. This retrospective analysis included children with RUF who were treated surgically with ICG fluorescence imaging localization-assisted LAARP between January and June 2022. We investigated the patient demographics, perioperative conditions, and subsequent follow-up results. Four patients underwent ICG-assisted LAARP. Their median age was 80 days (range, 63–120) and the median duration of each procedure was 145 min (range, 120–165). Postoperatively, the duration of catheter retention and hospital stay was eight days. The children's prognosis was based on the follow-up outcomes of gastrointestinal, urinary tract function, and imaging examination. None of the included patients was diagnosed with urinary diverticulum, urinary tract injury, anal stricture, or rectal prolapse. Injection of ICG at the end of the rectum during LAARP surgery is a feasible adjunct for locating the RUF, providing a greater degree of accuracy for laparoscopic separation and resection of fistulae, thereby decreasing the risk of urological complications.