Real-time Identification of the Aberrant Left Hepatic Arterial Territory in the Liver Using Near-infrared Fluorescence Imaging

" Hepatic artery variants are occasionally seen, especially 20-30% of aberrant left hepatic artery. In radical gastrectomy, decision for aberrant left hepatic artery(ALHA) ligation should consider the oncologic safety and liver-related complication. Theoretically, the ALHA preservation is the most ideal in the aspect of liver function protection. However, it is technically difficult which consumes much time. Not only that, oncologic safety could be threatened as some soft tissues, including lymph nodes, could be remained while in preserving the ALHA. There has been no standardized method to evaluate the ALHA, and to decide whether preserve or ligate it. This prospective study has been designed to develop the decision algorithm to define the ALHA preservation/ligation, using near-infrared fluorescence imaging during surgery. "