Inter-operator variability in the sensitivity of sentinel lymph node biopsy for melanoma

Plastic surgery trainees, in some circumstances, can progress to consultant level having performed only 15 generic lymph node surgeries, with no mention specifically of sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) on the training log. The majority of SLNBs carried out for melanoma at our centre since 1999 have been performed by eight surgeons, six of whom had been formally trained and mentored in our unit or previously completed skin cancer fellowships. Two surgeons started performing the procedure without formal training or specialist fellowships.