Sentinel lymphadenectomy in breast cancer: university research tool or community practice?

There is considerable controversy regarding the introduction and granting of credentials for sentinel lymphadenectomy in breast cancer. Given the workload of the average general surgeon and current procedural guidelines, two to three years would be required to demonstrate competence before a surgeon might perform sentinel lymphadenectomy without an immediate completion axillary node dissection. This article reviews issues related to the introduction of sentinel lymphadenectomy in the general surgeon's armamentarium.