title: [Axillary web syndrome following axillary lymph node dissection for melanoma: 5 cases].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Axillary web syndrome is a rare disease similar to Mondor's disease and is usually seen after axillary surgery. Herein, we describe five new cases, all of which occurred in a setting of melanoma.
  
  
  METHODS
  Five patients presented axillary web syndrome following sentinel node surgery, adenectomy or axillary curettage in a setting of melanoma. Therapy involving analgesics and physiotherapy to snap the cord-like structure helped accelerate resolution.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Some debate continues to surround the physiopathology of axillary web syndrome in the literature, particularly regarding its relationship with Mondor's disease, which is considered to result from superficial venous thrombosis. The lymphatic and myofascial explanation for the syndrome appears to us to be more coherent and justifies the non-aggressive therapeutic approach we adopt for our patients, who receive assurances about the benign nature of their condition and the absence of sequelae.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Axillary surgery in patients presenting melanoma appears to be a risk factor for axillary web syndrome. No relationship has as yet been demonstrated between this syndrome and the presence of axillary metastases.
authors.affiliation: Service de chirurgie plastique reconstructrice et esthétique, CHU Charles-Nicolle, 1, rue de Germont, 76031 Rouen cedex, France. Electronic address: bourguignon-deborah@live.fr.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bourguignon
authors.affiliation: Service de chirurgie plastique reconstructrice et esthétique, CHU Charles-Nicolle, 1, rue de Germont, 76031 Rouen cedex, France.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Aktouf
authors.affiliation: Service de chirurgie plastique reconstructrice et esthétique, CHU Charles-Nicolle, 1, rue de Germont, 76031 Rouen cedex, France.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Coquerel
authors.affiliation: Service de chirurgie plastique reconstructrice et esthétique, CHU Charles-Nicolle, 1, rue de Germont, 76031 Rouen cedex, France.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Auquit-Auckbur
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001365:Axilla / Q000098:blood supply*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008197:Lymph Node Excision / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000601:surgery*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D013577:Syndrome; D013924:Thrombophlebitis / Q000209:etiology*
keywords: Axillary surgery; Axillary web syndrome; Chirurgie axillaire; Cutaneous melanoma; Maladie de Mondor; Mondor's disease; Mélanome; Physiopathologie; Physiopathology; Syndrome de la corde axillaire; Traitement; Treatment