Imprint cytology versus frozen section: intraoperative analysis of sentinel lymph nodes in breast cancer.

Background: Intraoperative analysis of the sentinel node status in breast cancer adds the benefit of proceeding to axillary dissection at the same time as the primary breast operation, without the need for a second trip to theatre. However, the method of intra-operative analysis must be both rapid and accurate for use in this setting.

Methods: A prospective series of 20 consecutive patients in one hospital who underwent sentinel node biopsy was performed.