Thoracoscopic internal mammary sentinel node biopsy and internal mammary lymph chain excision: An experimental study / 中国微创外科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the feasibility of internal mammary sentinel node(SN) biopsy and internal mammary lymph chain excision under thoracoscope. Methods Six small pigs were used for the experiment.The small pigs were intubated using a double lumen endotracheal tube and kept anesthetized with ketamine.Methylene blue(4 ml) was injected subdermally into both of the first pair of breast.The sentinel node biopsy and internal mammary lymph chain dissection was performed thoracoscopically using a harmonic scalpel.Time of the appearance of the first blue-stained node and the dissection procedure were recorded respectively.Results Thoracoscopic internal mammary sentinel node dissection and internal mammary lymph chain excision was performed successfully in all the 6 pigs(12 sides).The time of the appearance of the first blue-stained sentinel node was 5~15 min(mean,8.9 min),the time of thoracoscopic biopsy was 15~50 min(mean,30.4 min),and the time of internal mammary lymph chain excision was 30~56 min on the left side and 22~48 min on the right side(mean,38.2 min),respectively.No bleeding,lung injuries,and other surgical complications occurred. Conclusions Thoracoscopic internal mammary sentinel node dissection and internal mammary lymph chain excision is feasible,easy to perform,and minimally invasive.