Sentinel lymph node dissection in primary melanoma reduces subsequent regional lymph node metastasis as well as distant metastasis after nodal involvement.

Background: In many countries sentinel lymph node dissection (SLND) followed by complete lymphadenectomy if positive is routinely performed treatment for primary cutaneous melanoma. However, the potential survival benefit of SLND is still controversial.

Methods: Patients with primary cutaneous melanoma (tumor thickness 1.