OBJECTIVES: Routine histopathology may understage colorectal cancer by failing to detect involved lymph nodes. This study examined the feasibility of dye staining those lymph nodes most likely to harbour metastases. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patent Blue V dye 2.5% was injected intra-operatively into left-sided colorectal carcinomas prior to resection in 19 patients. RESULTS: Blue-stained nodes were found in 12/19 patients (63%). Examination of blue-stained nodes alone correctly identified overall nodal status in 11 (92%) of these 12 patients. CONCLUSION: The technique needs to be refined further. Nonetheless, intra-operative lymph node staining using blue dye offers the prospect of improving the ease and accuracy of nodal staging in colorectal cancer.
OBJECTIVES: Routine histopathology may understage colorectal cancer by failing to detect involved lymph nodes. This study examined the feasibility of dye staining those lymph nodes most likely to harbour metastases. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patent Blue V dye 2.5% was injected intra-operatively into left-sided colorectal carcinomas prior to resection in 19 patients. RESULTS: Blue-stained nodes were found in 12/19 patients (63%). Examination of blue-stained nodes alone correctly identified overall nodal status in 11 (92%) of these 12 patients. CONCLUSION: The technique needs to be refined further. Nonetheless, intra-operative lymph node staining using blue dye offers the prospect of improving the ease and accuracy of nodal staging in colorectal cancer.
Authors: Jun Seok Park; Gyu-Seog Choi; Hye Jin Kim; Soo Yeon Park; Yun Jung Park; Sang-Woo Lee; Ziguang Xu; Han Ik Bae Journal: J Korean Soc Coloproctol Date: 2011-04-30