Nederlands tijdschrift voor geneeskunde
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Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd · Nov 1993
Comparative Study[Complications following axillary dissection for breast carcinoma].
Axillary dissection in breast cancer is performed to stage the tumor and to obtain regional tumour control. It is associated with some morbidity. Recently mention was made of post-axillary dissection pain of the arm following damage to one or more of the intercostobrachial nerves. ⋯ The several complaints were non-invalidating to 48 patients, slightly invalidating to 13 and moderately invalidating to 10 patients. At present, histological examination of the axillary nodes is still the best way to detect metastases, and it has implications for adjuvant therapies. The results of this study indicate that routinely sacrificing the intercostobrachial nerves during axillary dissection may result in annoying sensory changes and that efforts should be made to preserve one or two of these nerves during the operation.