Ambulatory sentinel node biopsy under local anaesthesia for patients with early breast cancer.

AIMS: 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.