title: [Morbidity after sentinel node biopsy and axillary dissection in breast cancer].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of this study was to evaluate the morbidity after sentinel node biopsy (SNB) and axillary dissection with (AD-NS) or without sparing the intercostobrachial nerve (AD-NOS).
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective cohort study was performed on 108 patients divided into three groups: SNB (n=35), AD-NS (n=36) and AD-NOS (n=37). We evaluated the incidence of sensory loss, pain, lymphedema, seroma formation and infection in the arm homolateral to the breast surgery. Semmes-Weinstein monofilaments were used to assess the sensory loss; brachial perimetry was used to evaluate presence of lymphedema and a pain questionnaire was administered. ANOVA and Kruskal-Wallis statistical tests were used. Bivariate and Multivariate analyses were performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After surgery at least one complication was reported by 45/108 (41.7%) patients. Pain was the outcome more often reported by patients. In the three groups a significant difference was observed only regarding sensory loss (p=0.04). Pain, lymphedema, and sensory loss were more frequently found in the AD-NOS group. No significant difference was observed between SNB and AD-NS groups. Semmes-Weinstein monofilaments showed preservation of cutaneous sensitivity in 28/35 patients from the SNB group, in 25/36 patients from AD-NS group but in only 10/37 patients from AD-NOS group (p<0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The ICB section is associated with higher sensory loss, with statistically significant difference between the groups that were not shown to be significant with the others complications.
authors.affiliation: Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Departamento de Anatomia Patológia, Belo Horizonte, MG.
authors.forename: Beatriz Pifano Soares
authors.initials: BP
authors.lastname: Ferreira
authors.forename: Mônica Duarte
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Pimentel
authors.forename: Luiz Cláudio dos
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Santos
authors.forename: Walace
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: di Flora
authors.forename: Helenice
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Gobbi
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001365:Axilla / Q000601:surgery; D001917:Brachial Plexus / Q000601:surgery; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008197:Lymph Node Excision / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000592:standards; D008209:Lymphedema; D008408:Mastectomy / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000592:standards; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric