Sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy is now routinely used in breast cancer multidisciplinary management. The combined use of blue dye and lymphoscintigraphy gives the best SLN identification rate. Two different types of probes are available for the SLN procedure: semi-conductor probes and scintillator ones. Moreover, to increase the performances of the SLN procedure, intra-operative gamma cameras have recently been developed. The objectives of our review are to describe these materials to highlight their advantages and drawbacks from the point of view of the surgeon and the physicist.