Glow-in-the-Dark dye could help surgeons avoid nerves
NCT ID NCT06054178
First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This small study tested whether injecting a fluorescent dye called fluorescein sodium helps surgeons see nerves during head and neck surgery. Eight adults having open head or neck surgery received the dye through an IV. Surgeons then rated how well the glowing nerves matched standard nerve-finding methods. The goal was to see if this simple dye could make nerve identification easier and safer.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- fluorescein sodium (a dye injected into a vein to highlight nerves during surgery)
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could give surgeons a real-time way to see and protect nerves during head and neck operations, potentially reducing nerve damage.
- What could go wrong
- This is a very small, early-phase study with only 8 people. It only tested if the dye helps identify nerves, not whether it improves patient outcomes. The dye may not work well for all nerve types or surgeries.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
Stanford Medical Center
Palo Alto, California, 94304, United States
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