Chymotrypsin Probe for Real-Time Visualization of Pancreatic Leak

Pancreatic fistula remains the most serious complication after digestive surgery. This is mainly because there are no techniques to identify pancreatic leak from the pancreatic stump during surgery. Nor have there been any techniques for rapid evaluation of protease activity in leaking fluid during surgery that can cause severe tissue damage. We have designed and developed a novel fluorescence probe (glutaryl phenylalanine hydroxymethyl rhodamine green) that is activated by chymotrypsin. The use of this novel probe is expected to result in a reduced incidence of pancreatic fistula and operative mortality after digestive surgery.