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Mattioli et al: Peripheral sentinel lymphadenectomy in 163 dogs: Postoperative surgical complications and comparison between intraoperative dissection techniques
Veterinary Surgery 4, 2025

🔍 Key Findings

Sample: 201 lymphadenectomies in 163 dogs.
Intraoperative techniques:

  • Unassisted: 36%
  • Methylene blue (MB): 24%
  • Gamma probe + MB (γ-MB): 40%

Complication rate: 7.5% overall (93% uncomplicated)

  • 80% were mild, 20% moderate; no severe complications
  • Most common = seroma (2.5%), lymphoedema (1.5%)

Risk factors (via decision tree model):

  • Surgical time > 21.5 min
  • Lymph node site = mandibular or retropharyngeal

No significant difference in complication rate based on:

  • Guidance technique (p = .255)
  • LN palpability, number removed, or LN size

Clinical implication: Peripheral SLN excision is safe regardless of intraoperative technique; certain sites and durations carry slightly higher risk.

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← Articles

Mattioli et al: Peripheral sentinel lymphadenectomy in 163 dogs: Postoperative surgical complications and comparison between intraoperative dissection techniques
Veterinary Surgery 4, 2025

🔍 Key Findings

Sample: 201 lymphadenectomies in 163 dogs.
Intraoperative techniques:

  • Unassisted: 36%
  • Methylene blue (MB): 24%
  • Gamma probe + MB (γ-MB): 40%

Complication rate: 7.5% overall (93% uncomplicated)

  • 80% were mild, 20% moderate; no severe complications
  • Most common = seroma (2.5%), lymphoedema (1.5%)

Risk factors (via decision tree model):

  • Surgical time > 21.5 min
  • Lymph node site = mandibular or retropharyngeal

No significant difference in complication rate based on:

  • Guidance technique (p = .255)
  • LN palpability, number removed, or LN size

Clinical implication: Peripheral SLN excision is safe regardless of intraoperative technique; certain sites and durations carry slightly higher risk.

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Multiple Choice Questions on this study

In Mattioli 2025 et al., on lymphadenectomy complications, what percentage of complications were classified as mild?

A. 60%
B. 70%
C. 80%
D. 90%
E. 100%

Answer: 80%

Explanation: Eighty percent of the complications were classified as mild in severity.
In Mattioli 2025 et al., on lymphadenectomy complications, what was the most common postoperative complication observed?

A. Seroma
B. Lymphoedema
C. Infection
D. Hematoma
E. Dehiscence

Answer: Seroma

Explanation: Seroma was the most frequently observed postoperative complication, occurring in 2.5% of cases.
In Mattioli 2025 et al., on lymphadenectomy complications, which intraoperative guidance technique was associated with the lowest complication rate?

A. Unassisted dissection
B. Methylene blue dye only
C. Gamma probe only
D. Gamma probe with methylene blue
E. No significant difference

Answer: No significant difference

Explanation: The study found no significant difference in complication rates among the different intraoperative guidance techniques (p = .255).
In Mattioli 2025 et al., on lymphadenectomy complications, which lymph node sites were associated with a higher complication rate when surgery exceeded 21.5 minutes?

A. Mandibular and retropharyngeal
B. Popliteal and axillary
C. Inguinal and cervical
D. Prescapular and mesenteric
E. Submandibular and iliac

Answer: Mandibular and retropharyngeal

Explanation: Mandibular and retropharyngeal lymphadenectomies lasting more than 21.5 minutes were associated with higher complication rates.
In Mattioli 2025 et al., on lymphadenectomy complications, what was the overall postoperative complication rate reported?

A. 5.0%
B. 7.5%
C. 10.0%
D. 12.5%
E. 15.0%

Answer: 7.5%

Explanation: The study reported an overall complication rate of 7.5% across 201 lymphadenectomies.

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