Skip to main content
Log in

Popliteal Lymph Node Dissection

  • Published:
Annals of Surgical Oncology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Most sentinel nodes are located in the cervical, axillary, and inguinal nodal basins. Sometimes, however, sentinel nodes exist outside these traditional nodal basins. Popliteal nodal metastasis is relatively uncommon, and popliteal lymph node dissection is infrequently necessary. However, with lymphoscintigraphic identification of popliteal sentinel nodes, surgeons are more frequently called on to address the popliteal nodal basin. Therefore, knowledge of the anatomy and surgical technique for popliteal lymphadenectomy is essential. This case study illustrates the importance of considering the approach to the popliteal lymph node basin for patients with melanoma.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. CP Karakousis (1980) ArticleTitle The technique of popliteal node dissection Surg Gynecol Obstet 151 420–3

    Google Scholar 

  2. JF Thompson JA Hunt G Culjak RF Uren R Howman-Giles CR Harman (2000) ArticleTitlePopliteal lymph node metastasis from primary cutaneous melanoma Eur J Surg Oncol 26 172–6

    Google Scholar 

  3. GA Georgeu N El-Muttardi DM Mercer (2002) ArticleTitleMalignant melanoma metastasis to the sentinel node in the popliteal fossa Br J Plast Surg 55 443–5

    Google Scholar 

  4. DG Coit CM Balch (2003) Groin and popliteal dissection. Technique and complications CM Balch AN Houghton AJ Sober S-J Soong (Eds) Cutaneous Melanoma EditionNumber4 Quality Medical Publishing St. Louis 416–7

    Google Scholar 

  5. C Chao SL Wong MI Ross et al. (2002) ArticleTitlePatterns of early recurrence after sentinel lymph node biopsy for melanoma Am J Surg 184 520–4

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Kelly M. McMasters MD, PhD.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Sholar, A., Martin, R.C.G. & McMasters, K.M. Popliteal Lymph Node Dissection. Ann Surg Oncol 12, 189–193 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1245/ASO.2005.05.009

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1245/ASO.2005.05.009

Keywords

Navigation