Open AccessEndoscopic sentinel node detection with a gamma probe combined with minimally invasive axillary lymph node dissection: a preliminary study
Author(s) -
Winzer KlausJürgen,
Ivancevic Velimir,
Fischer Steffen,
Guski Hans,
Munz Dieter Ludwig,
Müller Joachim Michael
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
european journal of surgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1741-9271
pISSN - 1102-4151
DOI - 10.1080/110241501750069765
Subject(s) - medicine , sentinel node , sentinel lymph node , gamma probe , breast cancer , dissection (medical) , axillary lymph node dissection , surgery , biopsy , axilla , axillary dissection , radiology , lymph node , cancer , pathology
Objective: To investigate the efficacy of videoendoscopic axillary lymph node dissection combined with endoscopic sentinel node detection by gamma probe and preoperative sentinel node imaging. Design: Open study. Setting: University hospital, Germany. Subjects: Four patients with breast cancer. Intervention: Injection of 99m Tc‐nanocolloid around the tumour. Results: In three patients axillary sentinel nodes were detected both before and after operation. In the remaining one it was not found. In two patients the minimally invasive approach had to be converted to conventional open surgery because of anatomical restrictions. Conclusion: We describe a new approach that uses a minimally invasive technique and endoscopic radioguided sentinel node biopsy in patients with breast cancer. The results of this preliminary study warrant further investigation. Copyright © 2001 Taylor and Francis Ltd.