文摘
Background The examination of as large a number of lymph nodes as possible in rectal carcinoma resectates is important for exact staging. However, after neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy (RCT), it can be difficult to obtain a sufficient number of lymph nodes. We therefore investigated whether staining with methylene blue via the inferior mesenteric artery can lead to an increase in the yield of lymph nodes in rectal carcinoma tissue after neoadjuvant RCT.