COMMENTARY MINIMIZING SECONDARY ARM LYMPHEDEMA FROM AXILLARY DISSECTION

Abstract

Regional complications after axillary lymphadenectomy are common and usually involveperioperative skin dehiscence, wound infection, and seroma formation and later arm lymphedema.Gentle handling of tissues during operation, and routine use of closed catheter suction drainagewith direct external axillary compression with immobilization of the shoulder after nodaldissection are advocated to minimize both the early and late sequelae. Healing by primary intentis facilitated and the opportunity for reconnection of divided lymphatics (lymphangiogenesis andlymphvasculogenesis) are thereby optimized.