only Wright (2010)171 Hull, UK Retrospective, Not Not 49 Yes Does not observational stated stated state type of (range analysis years) Baehner (2012)172 San Review of 81.6 63 Yes Did not Francisco, prospective investigate USA database NSN status in multivariate analysis and did not account for total number of positive nodes in survival curve comparison Patuzzo (2015)173 Milan, Retrospective, Not 1096 Yes No details Italy observational stated of statistical analysis (conference abstract) SN = sentinel node, NSN = non-sentinel node. Table 3.1.2. Studies that met the inclusion criteria and were included in the critical review (n=11). 1st Author (year Setting Study type Period of Median Number Number Outcome of publication) study follow-up of SN of NSN worse if (months) positive positive NSN patients patients positive? (%) Cascinelli Milan, Italy Review of 1994-2005 61.1 176 33 (18.7) Yes (2006)149 prospective database Ariyan New York, Review of 1991-2006 33 222 37 (16.7) Yes (2008)174 USA prospective database Ghaferi Michigan, Review of 1997- not 36.8 419 71 (16.9) Yes (2009)175 USA prospective stated database Jakub (2009)164 Florida, Review of 1998-2006 Not stated 229 46 (20.1) Yes USA prospective (mean database 38.9) Wiener Sydney, Review of 1992-2005 40 323 60 (18.6) Yes (2010)161 Australia prospective database Brown SUNBELT Post-hoc 1997-2003 68 347 51 (14.7) Yes (2010)176 trial (USA analysis of trial with analysis and database of follow-up Canada) data until 2009 Eggera (2013) SUNBELT Post-hoc Not stated 58 509 51 (10.0) Yes (Ann Surg trial (USA analysis of trial (1997-2003 Oncol)178 and database = trial Canada) enrollment period) Reintgen Florida, Review of 1990-2011 Not stated 331 61 (18.4) Yes (2013)179 USA prospective (mean 42) database Leung California, Review of 1986-2012 Not stated 329 79 (24%) Yes (2013)180 USA prospective database
only Wright (2010)171 Hull, UK Retrospective, observational Not stated Not stated (range years) 49 Yes Does not state type of analysis Baehner (2012)172 San Francisco, USA Review of prospective database 81.6 63 Yes Did not investigate NSN status in multivariate analysis and did not account for total number of positive nodes in survival curve comparison Patuzzo (2015)173 Milan, Italy Retrospective, observational Not stated 1096 Yes No details of statistical analysis (conference abstract) SN = sentinel node, NSN = non-sentinel node. Table 3.1.2. Studies that met the inclusion criteria and were included in the critical review (n=11). 1st Author (year of publication) Setting Study type Period of study Median follow-up (months) Number of SN positive patients Number of NSN positive patients (%) Outcome worse if NSN positive? Cascinelli (2006)149 Milan, Italy Review of prospective database 1994-2005 61.1 176 33 (18.7) Yes Ariyan (2008)174 New York, USA Review of prospective database 1991-2006 33 222 37 (16.7) Yes Ghaferi (2009)175 Michigan, USA Review of prospective database 1997- not stated 36.8 419 71 (16.9) Yes Jakub (2009)164 Florida, USA Review of prospective database 1998-2006 Not stated (mean 38.9) 229 46 (20.1) Yes Wiener (2010)161 Sydney, Australia Review of prospective database 1992-2005 40 323 60 (18.6) Yes Brown (2010)176 SUNBELT trial (USA and Canada) Post-hoc analysis of trial database 1997-2003 with analysis of follow-up data until 2009 68 347 51 (14.7) Yes Eggera (2013) (Ann Surg Oncol)178 SUNBELT trial (USA and Canada) Post-hoc analysis of trial database Not stated (1997-2003 = trial enrollment period) 58 509 51 (10.0) Yes Reintgen (2013)179 Florida, USA Review of prospective database 1990-2011 Not stated (mean 42) 331 61 (18.4) Yes Leung (2013)180 California, USA Review of prospective database 1986-2012 Not stated 329 79 (24%) Yes