Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of sentinel node detection with the blue dye technique in early cervical cancer. Methods: In a retrospective study conducted between January 2000 and February 2005, 47 women with early cervical cancer (6 patients FIGO Stage I A, 38 patients FlGO Stage I B, 2 patients FlGO Stage II A, 1 patient FIGO Stage II B) who underwent class II-III radical hysterectomy with pelvic lymphadenectomy were identified. Prior to surgery 1 ml of blue dye (lymphazurin 1 %) was injected into the four quadrants of the cervix. Results: The detection rate for sentinel nodes was 83% (39/47 patients). The median number of sentinel lymph nodes per patient was two. Nine patients had positive sentinel nodes. In one patient the sentinel lymph node procedure revealed to be false-negative. Positive predictive value and specificity were both 100%. The sensitivity and negative predictive value were 90% and 97%, respec­tively. Conclusions: Sentinel node detection has become a main field of interest in gynecological oncology. Our detection rate and sen­sitivity rate using the blue dye technique in cervical cancer are comparable to those in previously published data. However, recent data on a combined radioactively labeled albumin and blue dye technique show even more promising results. The clinical validity of the combined techniques must be evaluated prospectively in larger studies.