Glowing nerves: new imaging technique aims to make spine surgery safer

This study tested whether a safe, fluorescent dye could help surgeons better see and protect delicate nerves during minimally invasive spine surgery. In the trial, 40 patients having surgery for a herniated disc were randomly assigned to receive either standard surgery or surgery where the dye was used to make nerves glow under a special camera. The main goals were to see if this imaging technique was safe, practical, and could help surgeons find nerves faster and more accurately.