title: Sequelae following axillary lymph node dissection for breast cancer.
abstract: Axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) has a central role in the surgical management of breast cancer; however, it is associated with a potentially significant morbidity. Although post-ALND complications are often minor, in some cases they can persist for a long time following surgery, thereby affecting the quality of life of breast cancer survivors. Seroma formation and altered sensation of the upper limb are the two most common complications following ALND. Lymphedema is the most common potentially severe long-term complication following ALND. Major post-ALND complications (such as injury or thrombosis of the axillary vein and injury to the motor nerves of the axilla) are extremely rare. Meticulous surgical technique and careful selection of patients for postoperative radiation therapy are mandatory to prevent significant morbidity following ALND. The introduction of the technique of sentinel lymph node biopsy in clinical practice has resulted in a significant reduction in the incidence of post-ALND complications.
authors.affiliation: Attikon University Hospital, 4th Department of Surgery, Athens University, Medical School, Arkadias 19-21, GR-11526, Athens, Greece. georgesakorafas@yahoo.com
authors.forename: George H
authors.initials: GH
authors.lastname: Sakorafas
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Peros
authors.forename: Luigi
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Cataliotti
mesh_terms: D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D004322:Drainage; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008197:Lymph Node Excision / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D008209:Lymphedema / Q000209:etiology; D009069:Movement Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000453:epidemiology; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology