Glowing dye may save surgical flaps in head and neck cancer patients
NCT ID NCT07635420
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This trial tests whether a special dye called indocyanine green (ICG), injected during surgery, helps surgeons see blood flow in reconstructed tissue better than standard checks. About 244 adults having head and neck reconstruction will be randomly assigned to get the dye or standard care. The main goal is to see if the dye reduces partial flap loss needing extra treatment within 30 days.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Indocyanine green (ICG) dye
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could reduce the need for repeat surgeries after head and neck reconstruction by helping surgeons spot blood flow problems earlier.
- What could go wrong
- This is a relatively small, early-stage trial. ICG is already used in other surgeries, but its benefit here is unproven. There is a small risk of allergic reaction to the dye.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
-
Phase 4
Runs after approval, following long-term safety and how well the treatment works in everyday use.
- Participants
-
About 244 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Expected to start
-
Oct 2026
An estimate. Start dates often move.
- Expected to finish
-
Aug 2029
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
-
Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
-
18 years and older
- Sex
-
Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
-
Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Age ≥18 years at the time of inclusion * Scheduled to undergo microvascular free flap reconstruction as part of oncologic, trauma, or benign surgery in the head and neck area * Ability to understand study information and provide written informed consent Exclusion Criteria: * Known allergy to indocyanine green or iodine * Severe hepatic or renal impairment * Confirmed or suspected pregnancy * Breastfeeding
Get updates
Get notified about this study
Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for Free flap are added.
Genom att skicka in godkänner du våra Användarvillkor
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.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
-
The places running it
1 site. The list below names each one and where it is.
-
The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
-
A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
Dept. of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and Dept. of Health Sciences, Skåne University Hospital, Malmö, Sweden.
Malmö, Sweden
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
- Two ways to rebuild a Child's bone: which holds up?
- Can a Four-Session therapy course ease the mental load on parents of medically complex children?
- Laser light may help surgeons spot risky bowel connections
- Could daily swallowing exercises ease a harsh side effect of cancer treatment?
- Dye-Guided surgery may spare healthy lymph nodes in esophageal cancer
- Immune cells may hold the key to faster recovery after facial surgery