Measuring the quality of sentinel lymph node biopsy in breast cancer using newly developed quality indicators: a feasibility study

Abstract

Background: Measurement of the quality of sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) has not been reported beyond the false-negative rate and sentinel lymph node identification rate. This study's purpose is to determine the feasibility of measuring 11 quality indicators (QIs) that were recently developed using a modified Delphi process.

Methods: All patients who underwent SLNB for breast cancer at a tertiary health-care center from January 1st 2005 to December 31st 2007 were identified using a SLNB registry. Patient charts were reviewed retrospectively and the QIs were abstracted.

Results: Nine of the 11 QIs were measurable: 7 required chart-level abstraction, 2 were confirmed at an institutional level, and 2 were immeasurable due to registry limitations. Of the 497 identified patients, 13 patients had failed SLNB, resulting in 484 SLNBs. The axillary positivity rate was 19%. The method of SLN identification was reported in 97% of cases, and in 388 (80%) more than one SLN was removed. All SLNs were serially sectioned according to protocol, though only 102 (21%) of pathology reports explicitly stated the cancer stage. Nearly all SLNBs were performed alongside the primary breast surgery. Among SLN-positive patients: 78 (87%) underwent axillary lymph node dissection, 10 patients refused, and chart data were missing in 2 others. No "ineligible" patients had SLNB.

Conclusion: Measurement of newly developed QIs for SLNB is feasible for abstraction from inpatient charts at a single institution. These QIs can provide baseline measures for ongoing quality assessment of SLNB using hospital chart review.