Identification of pulmonary intersegmental planes using the intravenous administration of vitamin B2 with a blacklight.

The precise identification of intersegmental planes is critical in lung segmentectomy. Indocyanine green (ICG) is commonly used, but it requires specialized equipment and it also has a short fluorescence duration. This study explored the use of intravenous vitamin B2 (riboflavin) with a blacklight (ultraviolet A, UV-A) as a simpler, cost-effective alternative. In a porcine model (n = 4), both ICG and vitamin B2 accurately delineated the same intersegmental plane. However, vitamin B2 fluorescence lasted over 30 min -significantly longer than ICG's 7.3 min -and it was visible to the naked eye without specialized imaging systems. The method was safe and practical, utilizing readily available UV light. This approach may be particularly useful for visualizing lung segments during surgery without the need for expensive fluorescence cameras. Although the results in healthy animals are promising, further validation in humans is required. Overall, vitamin B2 with blacklight shows potential as a reliable, long-lasting, and accessible tool for pulmonary segment identification during anatomical resections.