Original ResearchLaparoscopic near-infrared fluorescent imaging as an alternative option for sentinel lymph node mapping in endometrial cancer: A prospective study

- Laparoscopy is an alternative option for sentinel node mapping in endometrial cancer.
- Sentinel lymph node mapping with laparoscopic system has high accuracy.
- Laparoscopic platform can provide widespread use of sentinel node mapping.

BackgroundTo evaluate feasibility of sentinel lymph node (SLN) mapping by using near-infrared fluorescent imaging and indocyanine green (NIR/ICG) integrated laparoscopic system in clinically uterine-confined endometrial cancer.Materials and methodsPatients with clinically early-stage endometrial cancer were included in this prospective study. ICG was injected to the uterine cervix and NIR/ICG integrated laparoscopic system (Spies Full HD D-Light P ICG technology, Karl Storz, Tuttlingen, Germany) was used during the operations. SLN and/or suspicious lymph nodes were resected. Side specific lymphadenectomy was performed when mapping was unsuccessful. Systematic lymphadenectomy was completed following SLN algorithm steps.ResultsSeventy-one eligible patients were analyzed. The overall, unilateral and bilateral SLN detection rates were 95.7%, 18.3%, 77.4%, respectively. There were 8 (11.2%) patients with lymph node metastasis. One of them was isolated para-aortic node metastasis. Negative predictive value, sensitivity and false negative rate for detecting lymphatic spread were 98.4%, 87.5% and 1.5%, respectively.ConclusionSentinel lymph node mapping can easily be performed with high accuracy by using NIR/ICG integrated conventional laparoscopic system in endometrial cancer and almost all lymphatic spread can be detected.