Summary: The detection of lymphatic node metastases represents a serious problem in the treatment of skin melanoma. The profit of the prophylactic regional node dissection in patients with non palpable nodes has not been proven, it can even be considered a hurting overtreatment in case of negative lymphatic nodes. Imaging methods are clearly insufficient ofr detection of early nodal metastases.
In 1992 Morton et. al. developed the lymphatic mapping method with sentinel node biopsy, by which can elegantly solve this problem.
We have begun to use this method in 1994 and we are showing this technique and our first experiences and results.
Lymphatic mapping and sentinel node biopsy in malignant melanoma, a brief survey and first experience
