Comparison of a 1-day and a 2-day protocol for lymphatic mapping and sentinel lymph node biopsy in patients with nonpalpable breast cancer.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the identification rate of the sentinel node in a 1-day protocol versus a 2-day protocol in patients with a nonpalpable breast carcinoma.


METHODS
In the 1-day protocol an average dose of 120 MBq (99m)Tc-nanocolloid was injected intratumorally on the day of surgery, and in the 2-day protocol an average dose of 370 MBq (99m)Tc-nanocolloid was injected intratumorally the day before surgery. Both a gamma ray detection probe and patent blue were used to locate the sentinel node.


RESULTS
In 57 of 67 patients (85%) treated in the 1-day protocol and in 51 of 56 patients (91%) treated in the 2-day protocol the sentinel node was detected (p=0.311). Of the patients in the 1-day protocol and the 2-day protocol, respectively, 18 (27%) and 13 (23%) showed metastasis (p=0.975)


CONCLUSIONS
There was no significant difference in the identification rate of the sentinel node between the 1-day protocol and the 2-day protocol in patients diagnosed with a nonpalpable breast carcinoma.
van Esser
S
S
Department of Surgery, Medical Centre Utrecht, P.O. Box 85500, 3508 GA, Utrecht, The Netherlands. s.vanesser@umcutrecht.nl
Hobbelink
M
M
Van Isselt
J W
JW
Mali
W P Th M
WP
Borel Rinkes
I H M
IH
van Hillegersberg
R
R