Resumen
There is evidence that oncological radicality with complete tumor removal may improve the survival of patients undergoing surgery for hepatopancreatobiliary malignancies. However, the complexity of vital vascular structures close to or embedded within the pancreas and the liver may increase both the surgical difficulty and the risk of achieving a non-radical resection. Preoperative staging after neoadjuvant therapy is usually challenged by the inability of correctly used imaging methods to distinguish vital tumors from fibrosis. Additionally, the inability to define the exact tumor borders often transfers to the operating room as well. Recently, more research has focused on the development of novel intraoperative imaging modalities and targeted contrast agents to improve preoperative and intraoperative diagnostics. We review current advances made in preclinical research and discuss clinical possibilities and future perspectives, including the characteristics of the ideal contrast agent.