Comparison of the number of LNs dissected
In UL group, the number of LNs dissected from the carbon nanoparticles group was significantly higher than that of the control group (8.02 ± 7.70 vs 5.37 ± 5.63, P< 0.0001). The detection rate of tiny lymph nodes in the carbon nanoparticles group was higher than that in the control group (P=0.0268). The number of tiny lymph nodes was also higher in the carbon nanoparticles group; however, the difference was not statistically significant (4.99 ± 3.80 vs. 3.93 ± 3.23, P=0.0823). Furthermore, significantly more ≤2 mm lymph nodes were detected in the carbon nanoparticles group than that of the control group (2.45 ± 3.14 vs. 1.45 ± 2.55, P=0.0034), Comparion of the number of LNs dissected between carbon nanoparticles group and control group in UL and TT subgroup.LNs: lymph nodes; A: Carbon nanoparticles group; B: Control group.In the TT group, the number of dissected LNs was higher in the carbon nanoparticles group; however, the difference was not statistically significant (40.82 ± 21.61 vs. 38.20 ± 19.14, P=0.4346). In addition, the numbers and detection rate of tiny lymph nodes was also higher in the carbon nanoparticles group; however, the difference was not statistically significant (80.15% vs. 78.47%, P=0.7296;12.15 ± 8.96 vs 10.45 ± 7.73, P=0.1750). Furthermore, the number of ≤2 mm lymph nodes was also higher in the carbon nanoparticles group, and the difference was not statistically significant (9.77 ± 9.34 vs 8.24 ± 7.96, P=0.2449), 