Patterns of Drainage and Recurrence Following Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy for Cutaneous Melanoma of the Head and Neck

Abstract

The number and location of SLNs is variable and difficult to predict for head and neck cutaneous melanoma. Preoperative lymphoscintigraphy is an important planning instrument to guide complete removal of all SLNs. Based on 3-year follow-up, this procedure can be expected to provide low same-basin recurrence rates for patients with a negative SLN.