Clinical analysis of 32 cases of breast cancer undergoing endoscopic clearance of axillary lymph nodes / 中华内分泌外科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the operation technique, feasibility and clinical outcome of endoscopic clearance of axillary lymph node with liposuction(E-ALNC) in 32 patients with breast cancer. Methods From January 2005 to December 2008, a total of 32 patients with breast cancer were treated with E-ALNC.The clinical data of the patients were analyzed retrospectively and compared with those of 46 patients who have undergone traditional axillary lymph node clearance(T-ALNC)during the same period. Results Both groups were Ⅰ～Ⅱ breast cancer. There were no interim open surgery, massive bleeding, subcutaneous emphysema,fat embolism and other complications in E-ALNC. There was no significant difference between E-ALNC and T-ALNC in lymph number removed(15.5 in E-ALNC) and operation time(80 min in E-ALNC). But there was less bleeding (380ml) and lower postoperation complication rate in E-ALNC. Conclusions The E-ALNC and T-ALNC can have the same effect in the breast conserving surgery.The method makes patients attain a physiological and psychological minimal invasiveness. Besides assuring the quality of axillary lymph node clearance, the method can reduce the occurrence of surgical complication and improve the patients'life quality. E-ALNC can replace the routine surgery and can be carried out in the qualified hospitals.