Sentinel lymph node detection in vulvar cancer patients: a 20 years analysis

Our study aimed to analyze postoperative treatment-related morbidity after sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) compared to systematic inguinofemoral lymph node dissection (ILND) and the recurrence rate in patients with vulvar cancer. This single center study included 128 patients diagnosed with vulvar cancer that underwent ILND or SLNB between January 1991 - January 2011 with intraoperative SLN detection and removal. Treatment-related morbidity, as well as recurrence rate of SLNB patients were evaluated. Preoperative sentinel node scintigraphy was successful in 82/89 (92%) of the patients. A hundred and seventy six nodes were visualized and all positive SLN were detected within 60min. Patients who were treated with ILND underwent a longer operation (P<0.001), required longer inguinal drainage (P<0.001), and had a lengthier postoperative hospital stay (P=0.006). The presence of lymph cysts (P=0.02, 95% CI 3.4 (1-1-10.6) was significantly higher in ILND patients. No groin recurrence was appreciated in SLNB patients. In conclusion, patients who underwent SLNB were at a lower risk of postoperative morbidity. No groin recurrences were observed in patients who received SLNB.