Decompression of the axillary vein for oedema of the arm caused by axillary dissection and irradiation

Scand J Plast Reconstr Surg Hand Surg. 1991;25(3):245-8. doi: 10.3109/02844319109020627.

Abstract

Twenty women with brachial oedema after treatment for breast cancer were operated on by a standard technique, with decompression of the axillary vein and division of the irradiated portion of pectoralis major. After a mean follow-up of 32.5 months a significant improvement was noted in 14 of them. In 19 the range of movement of the shoulder had improved.

MeSH terms

  • Arm*
  • Axillary Vein*
  • Breast Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Cicatrix / surgery
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Edema / epidemiology
  • Edema / etiology
  • Edema / surgery*
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Lymph Node Excision / adverse effects*
  • Middle Aged
  • Pectoralis Muscles / surgery
  • Prospective Studies
  • Radiotherapy / adverse effects*
  • Range of Motion, Articular / physiology
  • Shoulder Joint / physiopathology