title: Endoscopic exploration and lymph node sampling of the axilla. Preliminary findings of a randomized pilot study comparing clinical and anatomo-pathologic results of endoscopic axillary lymph node sampling with traditional surgical treatment.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe the technique of endoscopic exploration of the axilla. To compare this technique to open surgical treatment by comparing the following variables: operative time, peri-operative complications, duration of hospital stay, node's histology and morphologic aspects and esthetic results.
  
  
  METHODS
  Standard instruments for traditional operative laparoscopy plus a lipo-aspirator (0.8 Bar).
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty patients, 20 (group A) undergoing open surgery and 20 (group B) undergoing axilloscopy. All patients with early invasive breast cancer are eligible for conservative operative treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  Randomized study. The technique is described and preliminary results are presented.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The operative time for axilloscopy is approximately double that for open surgery. A comparable number of lymph nodes is collected by axilloscopy and open surgery. The nodes collected by axilloscopy are more likely to be fractured. What is the clinical consequence? Two loco-regional relapses are observed in the endoscopic group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Axillary sampling by endoscopic procedure gives the same pathologic information than surgical axillary sampling. Anatomo-pathologic aspects of nodes and possibilities of relapses were two drawbacks of this procedure.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Operative time is increased for axilloscopy compared with open surgery. The techniques yield comparable anatomo-pathologic results. It is still unknown whether this endoscopic technique is as effective as traditional surgery or if the frequency or severity of lymphedema is decreased by the endoscopic approach.
authors.affiliation: Department of obstetrics and Gynecology, Centre Hospitalier Thonon, France.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Salvat
authors.forename: J F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Knopf
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Ayoubi
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Slamani
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Vincent-Genod
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Guilbert
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Walker
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001365:Axilla; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology; D004724:Endoscopy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008197:Lymph Node Excision / Q000379:methods*; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011183:Postoperative Complications