Upper limb disease in women treated for breast cancer

Morbidity associated with axillary surgery for breast cancer

“…Opinions vary as to the extent of axillary surgery required − from limited node sampling to near total lymph node clearance (level 3) 1 . Axillary complications after breast cancer surgery are well recognized and include wound infection, lymphoedema, seroma, limitation of arm or shoulder movement and arm paraesthesias 4−8 . The long thoracic and thoracodorsal nerves, which are major motor nerves are routinely identified and preserved during axillary surgery, but the intercostobrachial nerve (ICBN) is often sacrificed.…”

“…1 Axillary complications after breast cancer surgery are well recognized and include wound infection, lymphoedema, seroma, limitation of arm or shoulder movement and arm paraesthesias. [4][5][6][7][8] The long thoracic and thoracodorsal nerves, which are major motor nerves are routinely identified and preserved during axillary surgery, but the intercostobrachial nerve (ICBN) is often sacrificed. The ICBN is the lateral cutaneous branch of the second intercostal nerve, it is sensory to the skin of the axilla and a variable portion of the skin on the medial upper arm.…”