title: Sentinel node biopsy for melanoma. Analysis of our experience (125 patients).
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The objective of this study is to analyze our experience in the use of sentinel node biopsy (SNB) in melanoma and identify the predictive factors of positive SNB and multiple drainage.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective study of patients who underwent SNB for melanoma between August of 2000 and February of 2013.
  
  
  RESULTS
  SNB was performed in 125 patients with a median of age of 55,6 (±15) years. The anatomic distribution was: 44 (35,2%) in legs, 24 (19,2%) in arms, 53 (42,4%) trunk and 3 (2,4%) in head and neck. The median Breslow index was 1,81 (0,45-5). Between 1 and 6 nodes were isolated. The drainage was unique in 98 (78,4%) and multiple in 27 (21,6%). The trunk was the localization of 25 (92,6%) nodes with multiple drainage. The definitive result of sentinel node (SN) was positive in 18 cases (7,1%). Breslow thickness (p=0,01) was statistically significant predictor of a positive SNB.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The SNB allows patients to be selected for lymphadenectomy. Melanoma of the trunk was the principle location of multiple drainage. The only predictive factor of positive SNB was Breslow thickness.
authors.affiliation: Unidad de Cirugía General y del Aparato Digestivo, Hospital Universitario San Juan, Alicante, España. Electronic address: edel_soliveres@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Edelmira
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Soliveres Soliveres
authors.affiliation: Unidad de Cirugía General y del Aparato Digestivo, Hospital Universitario San Juan, Alicante, España.
authors.forename: Andrés
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: García Marín
authors.affiliation: Unidad de Cirugía General y del Aparato Digestivo, Hospital Universitario San Juan, Alicante, España.
authors.forename: Manuel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Díez Miralles
authors.affiliation: Unidad de Cirugía General y del Aparato Digestivo, Hospital Universitario San Juan, Alicante, España.
authors.forename: Carmen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Nofuentes Riera
authors.affiliation: Unidad de Cirugía General y del Aparato Digestivo, Hospital Universitario San Juan, Alicante, España.
authors.forename: Asunción
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Candela Gomis
authors.affiliation: Unidad de Dermatología, Hospital Universitario San Juan, Alicante, España.
authors.forename: Manuel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Moragón Gordon
authors.affiliation: Unidad de Medicina Nuclear, Hospital Universitario San Juan, Alicante, España.
authors.forename: María Ángeles
authors.initials: MÁ
authors.lastname: Antón Leal
authors.affiliation: Unidad de Cirugía General y del Aparato Digestivo, Hospital Universitario San Juan, Alicante, España.
authors.forename: Salvador
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: García García
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000473:pathology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D021701:Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*
keywords: Biopsia ganglio centinela; Drenaje linfático; Linfogammagrafía; Lymphatic drainage; Lymphoscintigraphy; Malignant melanoma; Melanoma maligno; Sentinel node biopsy