Characterising non-melanoma skin cancer undergoing surgical management during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

reports.Results: There were 43 patients in each group i.e. "dual tracer" and "single tracer" group. Sentinel lymph node identification rate was 97.6% for single tracer radio-isotope localisation, compared to dual technique where all 43 (100%) patients had successful localisation of their sentinel node. Results were compared using Chi-square test with Yates correction. The P-value > 0.05, so there was no statistically significant difference between the 2 groups. Conclusion: Single tracer localisation has comparable sentinel lymph node identification rate. Consideration should be given to completely omitting the blue dye for sentinel node localisations in view of risk of anaphylaxis albeit low, and additional bothersome tattooing and cost, for simplification of procedure. Studies with larger sample size are needed to confirm the non-inferiority of radioisotope localisation.