OPERATION: Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy (SLNB) — Breast
ANAESTHETIC: General anaesthesia
POSITION: Supine, arm on operative side extended at 90°.
INDICATION:
Invasive breast carcinoma with clinically and radiologically node-negative axilla. Pre-operative axillary USS showed no suspicious nodes [/ FNAC/core biopsy node-negative]. SLNB planned to stage the axilla accurately and avoid unnecessary full axillary dissection.
PROCEDURE:
WHO Checklist performed. Blue dye (Patent Blue V) injected periareolarly before scrubbing — patient warned about green urine and rare risk of allergic reaction. Radioisotope (Tc-99m colloid) injected [by nuclear medicine] [hours] pre-operatively — lymphoscintigram reviewed showing [number] hot nodes in the axilla. Arm abducted to 90°. Axilla prepared and draped.