The FDA has approved a drug called IC-GREEN (indocyanine green) to help surgeons see important structures inside the body during operations. When injected into a patient, this dye glows under special light, allowing surgeons to view blood flow, bile ducts, and lymph nodes in real time. This can make surgeries more precise and possibly improve outcomes.
IC-GREEN is approved for use in many types of surgery, including vascular, gastrointestinal, organ transplant, plastic, and reconstructive procedures. It can be used in adults and children aged 1 month and older for most indications. For imaging bile ducts, it is approved for patients aged 12 and older. It is also approved for lymphatic mapping in adults with cervical and uterine cancer, and for eye angiography in adults and children.
The approval means that surgeons now have a standardized imaging agent that can be used across many procedures. However, the label does not include clinical trial data, so the evidence supporting its use may vary by indication. Dosing depends on the specific procedure, with a maximum total dose of 2 mg per kilogram of body weight.
If you are scheduled for surgery, talk to your doctor about whether IC-GREEN might be used in your case. This approval does not mean the drug is right for every patient or every surgery. Your healthcare team can help you understand the potential benefits and risks based on your individual situation.