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Localizing the Sentinel Node Outside of the Specialty Center: Success of a Lymphatic Mapping Course in Disseminating New Technology

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Abstract

Background: Sentinel node biopsy (SNB) is an evolving technology in the management of breast cancer. The purpose of this study was to determine the success of an SNB course in emphasizing principles for participants to successfully initiate an SNB program at their institution.

Methods: Participants in a university-sponsored course were queried 6 to 18 months after the course regarding their success in initiating SNB in their practice. Univariate analysis was used to determine the likelihood of implementing a SNB program.

Results: Ninety-one participants responded. Of these respondents, 56 had initiated an SNB program at their hospital, and 20 had completed a “validation” phase. “Validation” consisted of less than 10 cases for 11 respondents, 11 to 20 cases for 5 respondents, and 20 to 30 cases for 3 respondents and >30 cases for 1 respondent. Twenty-eight percent initiated the learning curve without an Institutional Review Board (IRB) protocol, and a further 20% went on to utilize SNB without axillary dissection in sentinel node-negative patients without IRB approval. Univariate analysis revealed that surgeons practicing in a group whose caseload consisted of more than 25% breast surgery cases were most likely (P < 0.05) to implement SNB in their practice.

Conclusions: Success in applying SNB after a course is high among surgeons in groups with a significant breast caseload, although recommendations for obtaining institutional approval and completing a 30-case validation series are often disregarded.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Surgical Oncology, Arthur G. James Cancer Center and Richard J. Solove Research Institute, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio

    Emmanuel E. Zervos MD, Sanjoy Saha MD, Grayson H. Wheatley MD & William E. Burak Jr. MD

  2. Division of the Biostatics Program, Arthur G. James Cancer Center and Richard J. Solove Research Institute, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio

    Stacy Hoshaw-Woodard PhD

  3. Division of Surgical Oncology, N924 Doan Hall, 410 W. 10th Ave, Columbus, OH, 43212

    Emmanuel E. Zervos MD

Authors
  1. Emmanuel E. Zervos MD
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  2. Sanjoy Saha MD
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  3. Stacy Hoshaw-Woodard PhD
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  4. Grayson H. Wheatley MD
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  5. William E. Burak Jr. MD
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Emmanuel E. Zervos MD.

Additional information

Presented atthe 53rd Annual Meeting of the Society of Surgical Oncology, New Orleans, Louisiana, March 16-19, 2000.

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Zervos, E.E., Saha, S., Hoshaw-Woodard, S. et al. Localizing the Sentinel Node Outside of the Specialty Center: Success of a Lymphatic Mapping Course in Disseminating New Technology. Ann Surg Oncol 8, 7–12 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10434-001-0007-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10434-001-0007-7

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