Spectral imaging for intraoperative nerve visualization during thyroid surgery

Inadvertent nerve injury is a common complication during many surgical procedures. Providing surgeons with a means to visualize nerves within a surgical field could reduce the risk of nerve injury and improve patient outcomes. Several wavelengths leveraging the intrinsic optical properties of nerves have been identified to enhance nerve contrast in an animal model. Here, we demonstrate the clinical feasibility of this technique in patients undergoing thyroidectomies. Spectral imaging successfully discriminated nerves from surrounding tissues within the surgical field. The results of this study demonstrate the clinical viability of spectral imaging for nerve visualization.