Axillary Web Syndrome: characterization of the different forms of clinical presentation of the cord.

Abstract

ObjectiveDescribe and characterize the forms of presentation and manifestation of the cord present in the Axillary Web Syndrome.Materials and MethodsAfter a favorable opinion from the Research Ethics Committee of the Federal University of Goiás, the construction of items for the Axillary Web Syndrome Classification Scale began, based on the search for concepts involved in its diagnosis. The various steps of construction, application and validation of the instrument occurred from April 2020 to August 2021. The research took place at the outpatient clinic of Mastology at Hospital das Clínicas (Goiás). In the evaluation position: supine, upper limb ipsilateral to the breast operated in abduction, extension and external rotation of the shoulder, extension and supination of the elbow, extension of the wrist and fingers, information on the specific characteristics of the cord was recorded.ResultsThe means presented by the evaluators were almost identical for the variables related to the characterization of the cord, indicating a strong correlation, Cronbach's alpha was 0.894 for evaluator 1 and 0.879 for evaluator 2, indicating strong internal consistency. Inter-rater agreement was 100% (p>0.001) for almost all variables evaluated, with the lowest Kappa coefficient (0.77 p>0.001) for “Length”.ConclusionA consensus on classification criteria can be useful among researchers and practitioners. The fibrous cord classification items compiled in this study address its forms of presentation and manifestation and contribute to standardizing the assessment and classification of Axillary Web Syndrome.