Abstract
We performed an inguinal sentinel node biopsy using patent blue dye for 15 cases of malignant melanoma. The primary lesions were located on the plantar region (7 cases), back of the foot (1 case), the toes (5 cases), the inguinal area (1 case), and the knee (1 case) . The sentinel nodes were identified in 14 patients (93.3%), among which 3 positive nodes were detected. The sentinel nodes from the foot region mostly located within the area 3cm distal to the site where the greater saphenous vein fluxes to the femoral vein. Besides the preoperative careful physical examination, ultrasound scanning analysis was shown to be useful for the detection of the sentinel nodes. We also emphasize that adequate procedure should be performed to avoid damage to the afferent lymphatic channels at the time of the operation. [Skin Cancer (Japan) 2002; 17: 127-134]
