Sentinel lymph node biopsy

Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) continues to evolve as a technique to detect occult metastases in early head and neck cancers. Patients without clinical evidence of neck metastasis have historically been treated with observation or elective neck dissection (END). However, for those patients with clinically negative necks who do not have occult metastases, performing an END results in overtreatment and increased morbidity. Therefore, SLNB has emerged as a way to evaluate for occult metastases to help guide further treatment and the need for a neck dissection. The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of SLNB and the operative techniques involved in head and neck cancers.