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.