Laparoscopic-assisted axillary dissection in breast cancer surgery.
BACKGROUND
Significant morbidity such as pain, paresthesia, and arm stiffness has often been associated with axillary dissection for breast cancer. We report our experience of 30 patients with stage I and II invasive ductal carcinoma of the breast who underwent laparoscopic-assisted axillary dissection together with segmental mastectomy.


METHODS
Tumours were situated in the upper or lower lateral quadrants only. In all cases, initial exposure for axillary dissection was performed through the breast periareolar incision. A 10-mm 30 degrees laparoscope was introduced through the breast incision to gain entry to the axilla. A separate stab incision in the lower aspect of the axilla was used for introduction of the 5-mm Harmonic shears (Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc, Cincinnati, OH). A grasping forceps was introduced through the main incision alongside the endoscope. Subsequent axillary dissection was performed laparoscopically, and the axillary content was removed through the breast incision.


RESULTS
Average yield of lymph nodes was 15 (range 7 to 25). There were no intraoperative complications. Immediately postsurgery, all patients were able to fully mobilize the upper limb, facilitated by absence of an axillary scar. Patients also reported minimal pain, paresthesia, with no stiffness or frozen shoulder.


CONCLUSIONS
Laparoscopic-assisted axillary dissection offers a safe and improved approach to the axilla, which can be incorporated into breast cancer surgery.
Lim
Susan M L
SM
Centre for Breast Screening and Surgery, Suite 02-18 Gleneagles Medical Centre, 6 Napier Road, Singapore. al@susanlimsurgery.com
Lam
Foong L
FL
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D018270:Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D008197:Lymph Node Excision / Q000379:methods*; D008408:Mastectomy; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging