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Morbidity after axillary sentinel lymph node biopsy in patients with cutaneous melanoma
M de Vries1, W G Vonkeman, R J van Ginkel
1Department of Surgical Oncology, University Medical Center Groningen and Groningen University, P.O. Box 30.001, 9700 RB Groningen, The Netherlands.
Aim:
In this study, the short-term and long-term morbidity was assesed after axillary sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) with or without completion axillary lymph node dissection (SLNB/ALND) in patients with cutaneous melanoma.
Methods:
Between 1995 and 2003, 119 axillary SLNBs were performed for cutaneous melanoma. Fifty-eight patients met the inclusion criteria and entered the study.
Results:
Forty-four patients underwent SLNB alone and 14 patients underwent axillary lymph node dissection after positive SLNB. Complications after SLNB alone: post-operative bleeding (n=2), seroma (n=1) and slight lymphedema 11%. Complications after SLNB/ALND: wound infections (n=2), seroma (n=5) and slight lymphedema 7%. There were differences between the two groups in short-term complications (p<.001) and functional limitations of the shoulder (p=.011).
Conclusion:
Axillary SLNB alone had a low complication rate. However, SLNB followed by completion ALND was associated with an increased risk of short- and long-term complications.
