A Retrospective Review Comparing the Efficacy of Blue Dye Sentinel Lymph Node Mapping Plus Four Node Sampling Versus Unguided Axillary Node Sampling in the Management of the Axilla in Node Negative Breast Cancer

Introduction: Studies show that up to 20% of breast surgeons in the UK still use unguided axillary node sampling (ANS) to assess the axilla in clinically node negative breast cancer. Prior to 2002, our Unit used this approach aiming for a four node sample. However, since 2003, we use a combination of blue dye sentinel lymph node mapping with four node axillary sampling (BD/4NS). This retrospective study compares the efficacy of unguided ANS versus BD/4NS.