A comparison of ICG-NIR with blue dye and technetium for the detection of sentinel lymph nodes in vulvar cancer.

Introduction: The sentinel lymph node (SLN) procedure for vulva cancer is a safe alternative to a radical inguino-femoral lymphadenectomy (IFLN) for small unifocal tumours. SLN evaluation through biopsy and ultra-staging has helped gynaecological oncology surgeons improve operative morbidity with no cost to oncologic safety. Established techniques for groin SLN detection and excision in vulvar cancer use Tc-nanocolloid radiotracer and blue dye (BD) for identification of the SLN.