Decompression of the axillary vein for oedema of the arm caused by axillary dissection and irradiation.
Twenty women with brachial oedema after treatment for breast cancer were operated on by a standard technique, with decompression of the axillary vein and division of the irradiated portion of pectoralis major. After a mean follow-up of 32.5 months a significant improvement was noted in 14 of them. In 19 the range of movement of the shoulder had improved.
Segerström
K
K
Department of Clinical Physiology, University Hospital, Umeå, Sweden.
Bjerle
P
P
Henriksson
T G
TG
Nyström
A
A
D001132:Arm; D001367:Axillary Vein; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D002921:Cicatrix / Q000601:surgery; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004487:Edema / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008197:Lymph Node Excision / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010369:Pectoralis Muscles / Q000601:surgery; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology; D012785:Shoulder Joint / Q000503:physiopathology