Usefulness of sentinel node biopsy in laparoscopic partial gastrectomy for early gastric cancer

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Five patients having early gastric cancer were treated using laparoscopic partial gastrectomy combined with sentinel lymph node biopsy. METHODOLOGY: Preoperatively, 3.5 mq of Tc-labeled tin colloid was endoscopically injected near the tumor. Under general anesthesia, laparoscopic partial gastrectomy was then performed. Radioisotope (RI)-positive nodes were explored before performing laparoscopic partial gastrectomy. RESULTS: An average of 2.6 sentinel nodes was detected in this way. All patients were found to be free from nodal involvement both histologically and immunohistologically during surgery. Four patients had mucosal cancer and one patient had submucosal cancer, which agreed with the preoperative diagnosis of tumor depth. CONCLUSIONS: Sentinel node biopsy in conjunction with laparoscopy in early gastric cancer surgery may allow confirmation of complete removal of risk nodes in early gastric cancer.