Feasibility of axillary reverse mapping during sentinel lymph node biopsy in breast cancer patients.
BACKGROUND
This pilot study evaluates the feasibility of axillary reverse mapping (ARM) during sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) in breast cancer patients.


METHODS
This study included 72 women with new breast cancer diagnosis, tumor size <2 cm, and clinically negative axilla. At the time of surgery, 2 mL of dermal blue patent were injected intradermally, subcutaneously, and intramuscularly in the ipsilateral upper inner arm in order to map and preserve the lymphatics of the arm. Blue arm lymphatics were preserved when in SLNB field. Microsurgical lymphatic-venous anastomosis (LYMPHA) was performed in women who underwent ALND.


RESULTS
In 27 of 72 patients (37.5%), the blue lymphatics draining the arm were observed in the SLNB field. In all these patients, the blue lymphatics were preserved. During ALND, the blue lymphatics draining the arm were visible in 8 out of 9 patients (88.9%); in all these women, the LYMPHA procedure was performed. All ARM blue nodes removed during ALND were negative for malignancy. At 9-month follow-up, no patient had lymphedema.


CONCLUSIONS
Arm lymphatic drainage can be observed in the SLNB field in 37.5% of the cases. Using the ARM during SLNB may facilitate the preservation of lymphatics draining the arm.
Casabona
Federico
F
Department of Gynecology, University of Genoa-S Martino Hospital, Genoa, Italy.
Bogliolo
Stefano
S
Valenzano Menada
Mario
M
Sala
Paolo
P
Villa
Giuseppe
G
Ferrero
Simone
S
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001365:Axilla; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D018270:Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000556:secondary / Q000601:surgery; D002285:Carcinoma, Intraductal, Noninfiltrating / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000556:secondary / Q000601:surgery; D018275:Carcinoma, Lobular / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000556:secondary / Q000601:surgery; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology*; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011379:Prognosis; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D021701:Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy; D013668:Technetium Tc 99m Aggregated Albumin
D013668:Technetium Tc 99m Aggregated Albumin; C083602:technetium Tc 99m nanocolloid