Near-Infrared Fluorescence Imaging Can Help Identify the Contralateral Phrenic Nerve During Robotic Thymectomy

During right robotic thymectomy, fluorescence imaging facilitates identification of the contralateral phrenic nerve by fluorescing the pericardiophrenic vessels. It is best visualized from a left pleural view. This technology has the potential to maximize thymic tissue resection with a unilateral approach while reducing operative time and nerve injury.