title: Formal axillary dissection.
abstract: Formal axillary dissection is a precise anatomical procedure by which the lymphatic contents of the axilla are removed en bloc. It is used as both a staging and a therapeutic procedure for carcinoma of the breast, and as a therapeutic or palliative procedure for established axillary metastases.
authors.affiliation: Westminster Hospital, London.
authors.forename: A B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Ball
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Waters
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Thomas
mesh_terms: D001365:Axilla / Q000601:surgery*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D004210:Dissection / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000145:classification / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008197:Lymph Node Excision / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000145:classification / Q000379:methods*; D008545:Melanoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011182:Postoperative Care; D011300:Preoperative Care; D011379:Prognosis