title: Axillary reverse lymphatic mapping reduces patient perceived incidence of lymphedema after axillary dissection in breast cancer.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Lymphedema is a feared complication of many patients following axillary lymph node dissection for breast cancer. Axillary reverse lymphatic mapping (ARM) was adopted to decrease the incidence of lymphedema.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective review was conducted on 139 patients with breast cancer who had greater than 10 lymph nodes removed. A survey was sent to patients to identify those with lymphedema.
  
  
  RESULTS
  One hundred nine women were contacted via mail survey to determine the presence of lymphedema. Of the 46 surveys returned, the incidence of lymphedema was 39%. Twenty-seven percent of the ARM group identified themselves as having lymphedema compared with 50% in non-ARM group. Eighteen percent of women in the ARM group needed an arm sleeve for treatment compared with 45.8% in the non-ARM group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The incidence of perceived lymphedema and the need for arm compression sleeve devices were lower in the ARM cohort. ARM should be adopted to decrease patient perception of lymphedema.
authors: Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of General Surgery, Legacy Good Samaritan Hospital, Portland, OR, USA.
authors: Jennifer L
authors: JL
authors: Pasko
authors: Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of General Surgery, Legacy Good Samaritan Hospital, Portland, OR, USA.
authors: Jennifer
authors: J
authors: Garreau
authors: Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of General Surgery, Legacy Good Samaritan Hospital, Portland, OR, USA.
authors: Amy
authors: A
authors: Carl
authors: Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of General Surgery, Legacy Good Samaritan Hospital, Portland, OR, USA.
authors: Mindy
authors: M
authors: Ansteth
authors: Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of General Surgery, Legacy Good Samaritan Hospital, Portland, OR, USA.
authors: Margaret
authors: M
authors: Glissmeyer
authors: Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of General Surgery, Legacy Good Samaritan Hospital, Portland, OR, USA. Electronic address: nemtipi@aol.com.
authors: Nathalie
authors: N
authors: Johnson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001365:Axilla; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000556:secondary / Q000601:surgery*; D004396:Coloring Agents; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008197:Lymph Node Excision / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D008209:Lymphedema / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012394:Rosaniline Dyes; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D004396:Coloring Agents; D012394:Rosaniline Dyes; C025484:iso-sulfan blue
keywords: Axillary dissection; Breast cancer; Lymphedema; Managing axilla; Reverse lymphatic mapping