Laparoscopic intraoperative sentinel lymph node detection by technetium-99 hysteroscopically injected in endometrial cancer patients.

Abstract

5104 Background: Systematic lymphadenectomy in old, obese, and/or polymorbid patients with endometrial cancer is a challenging procedure. Sentinel lymph node (SN) biopsy can potentially reduce morbidity not jeopardizing oncologic safety. The goals of this prospective study are to determine the feasibility and accuracy of sentinel lymph node biopsy, in endometrial cancer patients, following hysteroscopic Technetium-99 (Tc-99) injection. Methods: From January 2008 till December 2009, 30 women with endometrial cancer were consecutively included into the study. We injected 20 mBq Tc-99 hysteroscopically beneath the tumor, at the beginning of surgery SN biopsy, pelvic, and paraaortic lymphadenectomy, laparoscopic-assisted hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy were carried out through laparoscopy in 26 patients, or by laparotomy in 4 patients. Results: We detected SN in 25 women (82%). The total number of removed lymph nodes was 821, including 59 SN and among them, 35% (20) were located in the paraao...