Abstract: Near infrared region Ⅱ (NIR‑Ⅱ) fluorescence imaging has made progress in clinical application in recent years and has shown a higher image quality, tumor sensitivity and deeper tissue imaging capability compared to near infrared region Ⅰ imaging in liver neoplasms and biliary tract system. As a real‑time intraoperative imaging technology, which can provide high signal to background ratio and deeper tissue penetration, NIR‑Ⅱ is able to shorten the duration of operation while improve the safety and therapeutic effect of surgery. It has a great prospect and expanding ability. With the development of a bunch of novel NIR‑Ⅱ fluorophores, it is expected to play more important roles in hepatocellular carcinoma targeted imaging, evaluation of bile duct perfusion, distal choledochal imaging and so on. The authors review the progress in the application of NIR‑Ⅱ fluorescence imaging in hepatobiliary surgery.