The sentinel node biopsy (SNB) of axilla and groin is a common staging procedure and can be done in both general anesthesia and local anesthesia. To investigate the efficacy of tumescent local anesthesia (TLA) as a widely used type of local anesthesia in dermatologic surgery for the SNB of axilla and groin. From 1999 to 2002, 195 patients underwent a SNB of axilla or groin. A 0.1% tumescent solution with prilocaine was used. In cases in which local anesthesia did not produce complete analgesia, there was additional medication using Midazolam and Tramadol. In 74.9% of the patients, TLA was sufficient as the sole method. In 25.1%, sedation became necessary. Additional medication was required for 31.9% of the patients with SNB in the axilla and for 17.3% with SNB in the groin; 26.6% of the patients with SNB of both axillas and 25% with SNB of the axilla and the groin received additional medication using Midazolam. Two patients with a SNB of the axilla received a combination of Midazolam and Tramadol. SNB of the axilla and the groin in TLA is a good alternative to other anesthetic techniques, for example, general anesthesia or infiltration anesthesia. K. EICHHORN, MD, R. RENNER, MD, AND U. F. HAUSTEIN, MD HAVE INDICATED NO SIGNIFICANT INTEREST WITH COMMERCIAL SUPPORTERS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]