What is the diagnostic accuracy of fluorescence-guided surgery for margin assessment in appendicular bone and soft tissue tumors? - A systematic review of clinical studies

Fluorescence-guided surgery (FGS) is a novel technique to successfully assess surgical margins intraoperatively. Investigation and adoption of this technique in orthopaedic oncology remains limited. The PRISMA guidelines were followed for this manuscript. Our study was registered on PROSPERO (380520). Studies describing the use of FGS for resection of bone and soft tissue sarcomas (STS) on humans were included. Diagnostic performance metrics (sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value [PPV], negative predictive value [NPV] and accuracy) and margin positivity rate were the outcomes assessed. Critical appraisal using the Joanna Brigs Institute checklists showed significant concerns for study quality. Sensitivity of FGS ranged from 22.2 % to 100 % in three of the four studies assessing his metrics; one study in appendicular tumors in the pediatric population reported 0 % sensitivity in the three cases included. Specificity ranged from 9.38 % to 100 %. PPV ranged from 14.6 % to 70 % while NPV was between 53.3 % and 100 %. The diagnostic accuracy ranged from 21.62 % to 92.31 %. Margin positivity rate ranged from 2 % to 50 %, with six of the seven studies reporting values between 20 % and 50 %. FSG is a feasible technique to assess tumor margins in bone and STS. Reported performance metrics and margin positivity rates vary widely between studies due to low study quality and high heterogeneity in dying protocols. Level III, diagnostic study. •This systematic review included nine clinical studies evaluating fluorescence-guided surgery in sarcomas.•Variability in protocols precludes direct assessment between studies.•Future reserach with standardized dose and timing is required to evaluate this technology.