Lymphatic Drainage of the Breast: from Theory to Surgical Practice

Until recently, complete removal of axillary lymph nodes was performed as part of the treatment of breast cancer. Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) in selected cases has reduced the number of cases of wide axillary dissection and the related morbidity. Knowledge of breast lymphatic drainage is essen...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:International journal of morphology 2009-09, Vol.27 (3), p.873-878
Main Authors: Fregnani, José Humberto Tavares Guerreiro, Macéa, José Rafael
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
ANATOMY & MORPHOLOGY
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Summary:Until recently, complete removal of axillary lymph nodes was performed as part of the treatment of breast cancer. Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) in selected cases has reduced the number of cases of wide axillary dissection and the related morbidity. Knowledge of breast lymphatic drainage is essential for understanding the principles behind SLNB and also for performing safe and correct axillary lymphonodectomy. This paper describes in detail the anatomical issues relating to breast lymphatic drainage and the correlated axillary and extra-axillary lymph nodes. In addition, it shows the application of this theoretical knowledge to surgical practice, especially with regard to SLNB and lymphonodectomy. The surgical nomenclature is compared with the current International Anatomical Terminology.
ISSN:0717-9502
0717-9502
DOI:10.4067/S0717-95022009000300038