Identifying Risk Factors for Complications Following Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy for Melanoma

Abstract

Background: Sentinel lymph node biopsy has become routine in the staging of patients with cutaneous melanoma and is presumed to have fewer complications than elective regional lymph node dissection (RLND). However, little information is available to refute or support this assumption. Hypothesis: Risk factors for complications following sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNBX) can be identified. Design: Retrospective medical record review. Patients and Methods: The medical records of 339 consecutive patients undergoing SLNBX for melanoma between 1996 and 2003 at our institution were reviewed for complications. Results: In our series of 339 patients, 20 complications (5.9%) were observed following SLNBX compared with 15 (19.5%) of 77 patients undergoing RLND during the same period (PϽ.001). Seroma formation, transient nerve injuries, and minor wound infections were the most fre

Safety of Excisional Inguinal Lymph Node Biopsies Performed for Research Purposes in HIV-1-Infected Women and Men

“…In a single-site study evaluating outcomes following SLNB for penile cancer, rate of surgical site infection and abscess was 4% and seroma was 2%, which was similar to a multi-center study that demonstrated an infection rate of 3% and a seroma rate of 3.1% [7]. It is notable that rates of complications are significantly lower in retrospective studies, with overall complication rates reported from < 1% to 2% [8,9]. Nonetheless, comparing the risks of elective inguinal LN excision to the risks for excisions performed for clinical indications has some limitations because clinical procedures may involve multiple LN excisions or more extensive dissection [5][6][7][8][9][10].…”

Assessment of value of the sentinel lymph node biopsy in melanoma in children and adolescents and applicability of subcutaneous infusion anesthesia

“…Independent from prognostic value, SLN biopsy helps to identify patient groups who might benefit from adjuvant therapy. Finally, in a historical prospective, a negative SLN biopsy spares those patients from morbidity, which was associated with elective lymph node dissection (wound infections, permanent nerve injury, chronic lymphedema) [19,20].…”

“…In addition, data regarding complications associated with SLN biopsy (including seromas, lymphocele, persistent lymphedema, infection, wound dehiscence, hematoma, transient nerve injuries, allergic reactions to blue dye) are very scarce in adults, and the rate of complications ranges between 4.6% and 33.0% [14,[19][20][21][22][23]. In children and adolescents, only 4 reports comment on complications.…”

Malignant Melanoma S3‐Guideline “Diagnosis, Therapy and Follow‐up of Melanoma”

“…Complications arise in about 10 % of patients and include seromas, hematomas, wound infections, and, in rare cases, functional deficits and nerve lesions [153][154][155].…”