El Sharouni MA, Varey AHR, Witkamp AJ, et al. - Recently, development as well as external validation of a nomogram to predict sentinel node (SN) positivity [the Melanoma Institute Australia (MIA) nomogram] was accomplished by utilizing two large single‐institution databases, researchers herein used population‐based data to further validate the nomogram. Participants were cutaneous melanoma patients who had SN biopsy in the Netherlands between 2000 and 2014. A good C‐statistic of 0·69 with excellent calibration was demonstrated by validation of the MIA nomogram (incorporating the parameters Breslow thickness, ulceration, age, melanoma subtype and lymphovascular invasion). Overall, the worth of the MIA nomogram in predicting SN positivity was corroborated in this population‐based validation study in European patients suffering from melanoma. Application of this nomogram will not only prevent low‐risk patients from bearing the inconvenience, cost and potential risks of SN biopsy but also will ensure the identification of high‐risk cases.