title: Axillary lymphadenectomy for breast cancer. A randomized controlled trial comparing a bipolar vessel sealing system to the conventional technique.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare safety and efficacy of a bipolar vessel sealing system (BVSS) to the conventional technique in axillary node dissection.
  
  
  METHODS
  116 women with breast cancer were randomized to conventional node dissection surgical technique (control; n = 58) by scalpel and monopolar cautery or using an electrothermal BVSS (study group; n = 58).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The median (range) total volume of fluid collected by drain and aspirations was 305 (30-1420) mL in the study group and 335 (80-1070) mL in the control group (p = 0.325). The median (range) total volume of lymph collected by percutaneous aspirations was 207.5 (40-1050) mL in the study group and 505 (270-705) mL in the control group (p = 0.010). The incidence of seroma was similar in both groups (p = 0.845). The axillary drain was removed earlier in the study group than in controls (p = 0.046).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The use of a BVSS offers marginal advantages when compared to the conventional technique.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, San Gerardo Hospital, Monza, Italy. luca.nespoli@unimib.it
authors.forename: Luca
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Nespoli
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Antolini
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Stucchi
authors.forename: Angelo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nespoli
authors.forename: Maria Grazia
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Valsecchi
authors.forename: Luca
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gianotti
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001365:Axilla; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D004564:Electrocoagulation / Q000295:instrumentation*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D057194:Intention to Treat Analysis; D008026:Ligation; D008197:Lymph Node Excision / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D042601:Lymphatic Vessels / Q000601:surgery*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D049291:Seroma / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016896:Treatment Outcome