Russia Performs First-Ever Liver Surgery Using ICG Navigation and Augmented Reality

A surgical team in Orenburg has successfully combined ICG imaging with intraoperative augmented reality—an unprecedented step for Russian medicine.

In a groundbreaking procedure, surgeons at Voinov Hospital in Orenburg performed Russia’s first liver resection using a combination of two advanced technologies: ICG (indocyanine green) navigation and intraoperative augmented reality (AR). The regional Health Ministry reported the milestone.

ICG navigation is a critical tool for surgical precision, particularly in complex laparoscopic operations such as liver, pancreatic, or adrenal resections. It allows surgeons to identify key vascular structures and tumor boundaries with greater accuracy.

The AR overlay creates a 'transparent anatomy' view, enabling visualization of vessels and lesions normally hidden within the organ tissue. This dual-tech approach helps surgeons determine resection margins more clearly, enhancing both safety and effectiveness.

Medical experts say the fusion of these technologies holds enormous promise for the future of ‘smart’ surgical suites and integrated safety systems. Such procedures are expected to become more common in Russia as the country ramps up implementation of clinical guidelines, data analytics, and AI integration in healthcare throughout 2025.