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NCT05206279Completed

ICG for Visualization of the Ureters in DIE

Laparoscopic Visualization of the Ureters Using Near-infrared Fluorescence After Retrograde Application of Indocyanine Green (ICG) in Deep Infiltrating Endometriosis.

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Last updated 17 Jun 2026

Brief summary (registry, in English)

Endometriosis is a common condition with an incidence of approximately 10% of all women in the fertile phase. Deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE) has been shown to be associated with high morbidity. A retrospective study of 700 patients has shown lower urinary tract involvement in up to 52.6% of cases with DIE. In most studies, the bladder is cited as the most common site of DIE in the urinary tract, with the ureter being the second most common lesion site. In cases of ureteral endometriosis, a procedure called ureterolysis is essential because complete resection of the endometriosis is necessary to resolve or prevent renal obstruction. In addition, ureterolysis is obligatory in the context of dissection of endometriosis involving the rectovaginal septum, sacrouterine ligaments, or rectum. Ureterolysis is the process of freeing the ureter from both endometriotic nodules as a therapeutic procedure and from physiologic surrounding tissue and structures for complete visualization. Because ureterolysis is a high-risk procedure for ureteral lesions, alternatives are desirable. ICG is a fluorescent dye that has been used for decades for various indications, including retinal angiography, determination of tissue viability, and testing of cardiac and liver function. It has gained an important role in intraoperative visualization of tissue perfusion as well as sentinel lymph nodes in tumor surgery. ICG has also been used and described for ureteral imageability. However, these studies included small populations of 10-30 patients. None of the aforementioned studies have investigated the imageability of the ureters in endometriosis and with regard to a possible reduction in the need for ureteral dissection. The investigators perform a cystoscopy with a retrograde injection of ICG in both ureters. ICG and thus the ureters are visualized during laparoscopy by near-infrared light contained in our camera systems. The additional use of fluorescence imaging of the ureters with ICG injected into the ureters during laparoscopic resection of deep infiltrating endometriosis is intended to improve visualization of the ureters and thus may prevent complete ureterolysis, which is considered a high-risk procedure. It is a safe procedure as ICG has been shown to have an excellent safety profile. The aim of the study is to prove the feasibility of ureteral visualization using intraureteral ICG in 2D laparoscopy for women with deep infiltrating endometriosis by means of near-infrared fluorescence imaging of the ureters. In our secondary endpoints the investigators want to describe the duration time of ICG injection, the duration until visualization of the ureters, the detection rate of fluorescing ureters after ICG-injection, the duration until maximum fluorescence is achieved, the duration until the ureters can no longer be displayed, the length of performed ureterolysis in centimeters and the safety of intraureteral ICG injection.

Status (registry)
Completed
Study type
Interventional
Enrollment
51 (actual)
First submitted
28 Sept 2021
Start date
26 Jun 2023
Primary completion date
1 Sept 2024
Lead sponsor
Insel Gruppe AG, University Hospital Bern
NCT number
NCT05206279

What you commit to

  • Study type: Interventional
  • Participants enrolled: 51
  • From 26 Jun 2023 to the primary completion date, 1 Sept 2024
  • 1 site in 1 country
  • Visits and tests: ask the trial team, the registry does not list them

Built from the registry fields of ClinicalTrials.gov. It describes the study, not your situation.

Who cannot take part

Copied verbatim from ClinicalTrials.gov and grouped by topic. Only the trial team decides who can take part.

Prior treatment

  • Simultaneous therapy with beta-blockers
  • Previous history of radiation therapy of the pelvis
  • Women having undergone surgery for reimplantation of the ureters (UCNS) or nephrostomy

Other illness

  • Known or suspected allergy to iodine, shellfish, or ICG dye
  • Inability to follow the procedures of the study (due to language problems, psychological disorders, dementia)
  • Presence of medical conditions contraindicating general anesthesia or standard laparoscopic surgery
  • Active, non treated urinary tract infection

Lab values

  • Severe renal insufficiency (GFR \< 30ml/min)

Other

  • No DIE detectable intraoperatively
  • Hyperthyroid metabolic state (excluding treated hyperthyroidism with euthyroid metabolic state)
  • Pregnant (positive human chorionic gonadotropin in the blood) or breastfeeding women
  • Intention to become pregnant during the course of the study
  • Active pyelonephritis

Who the study is looking for

  • Informed Consent as documented by signature
  • Age 18 or older
  • Premenopausal status (menopause is defined as amenorrhea lasting one year or longer)
  • Proven (by laparoscopy or MRI) or highly suspected (ultrasound or clinically) deep infiltrating endometriosis

Age in the registry: 18 years to - · Sex: Female · Does not accept healthy volunteers

Full criteria on ClinicalTrials.gov

Sites (1)

Sites in registry order. Pick your city on the disease page to sort them by distance.

SiteCityCountrySite status
Inselspital
Coordinator of this site? Confirm its status
BernSwitzerlandUnknown status

This page is information, not medical advice. Discuss any trial with your doctor.