Sentinel lymph node biopsy in contralateral prophylactic mastectomy: are we overtreating? Experience at a tertiary care hospital.

Objective: Use of routine sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) in contralateral prophylactic mastectomy (CPM) is controversial. This retrospective study was undertaken to determine the frequency of SLNB in CPM at a community hospital and its utility as a guide to patient decision making.

Methods: Between 2007 and 2009, 170 patients underwent CPM at a suburban, tertiary care facility.