THE TECHNIQUE OF SENTINEL NODE BIOPSY

Fifty-five consecutive patients with localized melanoma and clinically definable regional nodal basin who had undergone sentinel node biopsy were reviewed. The technique described by Morton et al. was applied w ith the following modifications: (1) injection of a larger amount of i sosulfan blue dye initially, i.e. 3 ml, on the side of the primary les ion facing the nodal group; (2) elevation of the primary site, for 5 m in; (3) incision over the regional nodal group and exposure of the nod es with sharp dissection; (4) identification of either the blue-staine d node(s) or adjacent colored lymphatics first and demonstration of th eir continuity. The sentinel node was identified in 51/55 (93%); speci fically 33/36 (92%) in the axilla, 17/18 (93%) in the groin, and 1/1 i n the supraclavicular area. It was positive in 12/51 (24%). Morton's t echnique of sentinel node biopsy is reproducible and can provide corre ct identification of the sentinel node in over 90% of the patients wit hout the aid of radiolabelled materials.