Technics and significance of preserving intercostobrachial nerve during axillary node clearance for breast cancer / 中国医师进修杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the significance of preserving the intercostobrachial nerve (ICBN) during axillary node clearance for breast cancer and share, some technical experiences of this procedure. Methods ICBN was preserved integally or partially in 78 patients of breast cancer (ICBN preserved group) and resected integrally (ICBN resected group) in 18 patients. Sensory disorders and motorial recoveries as well as tumor recurrence were compared between the two groups one week and one year after operation. Results Morbidity of sensory disorders in ICBN preserved group was less than that in ICBN resected group. Motorial recoveries were better in ICBN preserved patients without decreasing the number of axillary nodes resected and without increasing the recurrence of tumor. Conclusion ICBN should be preserved as far as possible during axillary node clearance for breast cancer.