Sentinel node biopsy for patients with early breast cancer under local anaesthesia: time to say goodbye?

From 2000 onwards many papers were published regarding the technique of sentinel lymph node biopsy in early breast cancer under local anaesthesia. This technique enabled a solid base for definitive breast surgery in one session under general anaesthesia, contributing to a better preparation of the patient undergoing definite breast cancer treatment and saving operating time. All papers agreed in safety of the concept, quality and patient satisfaction. As we will more and more waive a complete axillary dissection even after positive sentinel nodes, because there is no proof of gain in survival and local control, there is nowadays less place for the knowledge of the sentinel node status prior to definite breast surgery.