The efficiency of a combined injection technique for sentinel lymph node mapping in intermediate-high-risk endometrial cancer.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Sentinel lymph node (SLN) mapping was considered for treating endometrial cancer (EC) which was apparent confined to the uterus. Nevertheless, intermediate-high-risk EC patients have super high risk to undergo isolated para-aortic lymph node metastases comparing with low-risk patients. Therefore, this investigation aimed to compare the efficacy of two SLN methods in detecting para-aortic lymph node metastases. METHODS According to SLN mapping injection methods, intermediate-high-risk EC patients who received both SLN mapping and systematic lymphadenectomy were divided into the combined group (fundal and cervical injections) and the cervical group (cervical injection only). RESULTS The para-aortic SLN detection rate in the combined group (40.4%) was higher than that in the cervical group (4.4%) with p < 0.001. While the differences concerning the sensitivity, false-negative rate, and negative predictive value between the two groups were not significant. The survival outcomes of patients were comparable between the two groups. CONCLUSION Our data showcased that the combined (fundal and cervical) injection had a higher detection rate of para-aortic SLNs than cervical injection only. The efficiency of SLN mapping and the survival outcomes were not significantly different between the two groups. Further investigations are warranted to assess the value of combined injection regarding SLN technique.