Endoscopic sentinel node biopsy (ESNB) in breast cancer

Sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy was performed, approaching from the lumpec tomy-cavity under an endoscopic guidance in order to pursue the cosmesis fo r breast cancer patients. This technique was named "endoscopic sentinel nod e biopsy (ESNB)". It was much easier to perform than the other endoscope-as sisted-dissection techniques, since it was necessary to remove only a few S LNs which could be definitely identified using a gamma probe, Navigator (US Surgical), after an injection of technetium-99m-labeled tin colloids into the breast parenchyma around the tumor. In performing ESNB, there was no re markable adverse event, and the complications such as an arm swelling and a xillary disesthesia could not be observed after the surgery. It took less t han 90 minutes even in patients with tumor far from SLN site. ESNB could om it another incision indispensable for SLN biopsy in the axilla and make fur ther possibility to minimize breast surgery.