Ambulatory sentinel node biopsy under local anaesthesia for patients with early breast cancer.
OBJECTIVE
Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) may permit reliable identification of patients with axillary node involvement. The aim of this study was to report our experience with this procedure under local anaesthesia.


METHODS
One hundred and sixty-two patients underwent a sentinel node procedure under local anaesthesia without sedation. The SLN was identified by (99m)Tc-nano-colloid and patent blue. Immediate histopathologic examination and immunohistochemistry was performed. Patients with positive SLNs proceded to axillary dissection under general anaesthesia.


RESULTS
In all 162 patients the SLN ('s) were found using blue dye and gamma-probe. The SLN was positive in 55/162 patients (34%). Five of these were detected using immunohistochemistry only.


CONCLUSIONS
A 100% detection rate of sentinel nodes in early breast cancer harvested under local anaesthesia was achieved without serious morbidity. This allows the surgeon to select preoperatively the treatment given to the patient.
van Berlo
C L H
CL
Department of Surgery, VieCuri Medical Center, Venlo, The Netherlands. cvberlo@viecuri.nl
Hess
D A
DA
Nijhuis
P A H
PA
Leys
E
E
Gerritsen
H A M
HA
Schapers
R F M
RF
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000553:Ambulatory Care; D000772:Anesthesia, Local; D001365:Axilla; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis / Q000175:diagnosis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D021701:Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy / Q000379:methods*; D013668:Technetium Tc 99m Aggregated Albumin
D013668:Technetium Tc 99m Aggregated Albumin; C083602:technetium Tc 99m nanocolloid