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MANAGEMENT OF AXILLA Please choose an option from the menu below to see the information you require: Anatomy
of the lymph drainage of the breast
Complications of axillary surgery 1. Haematoma - this is prevented by the use of suction drains. 2. Seroma - tends to occur within a week of removal of the drains: it is not serious and can be easily managed by repeated aspirations. Leaving the drains in situ until they drain less than 30 ml in a 24 hour period reduces the risk of this complication. 3. Injury to the intercostobrachial nerve - this nerve often traverses through a mass of axillary nodes and has to then be sacrificed. It results in parasthesia along the inner side of the upper arm along with numbness. It recovers in a significant proportion of cases over a period of 3 months. 4. Lymphoedema - the risk of lymphoedema of the arm is between 2-6%. Treatment is conservative with the use of Sygvaris stockinette and the use of penicillin in the event of cellulitis. All patients who have had axillary surgery are provided with an instruction sheet on the care of the arm. 5. Injury to the nerves to Serratus anterior and Latissimus dorsi muscles - these are avoidable and rare. It is an unwritten rule that the contents of the axilla are not removed until these nerves have been identified and safeguarded. 6. Axillary vein thrombosis - is a rare complication and can be avoided by meticulous detail at the time of surgery and judicious use of prophylactic anti-coagulants (low molecular weight Heparin). If
you require further advice or information please contact the |
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