Axillary lymph node dissection / clearance
Identification and surgical removal of lymph nodes from the armpit (axilla), in patients with breast cancer and lymph node metastasis. The lymph nodes is then examined in the pathology lab whether cancer cells are present.
- Speciality General Surgery, Breast Surgery
- Urgency elective, urgent
- Duration 30 min to 1 h
- Blood Loss minimal to 250 ml
- Anaesthesia General Anaesthetic +/- Nerve Block
- Nerve Blocks Pectoralis 1+2 blocks
- Pain mild-moderate (++)
- Post-op Pain Local up to 4-8 hours, Nerve Block up to 10-30 hours
- Post-op Pain II Tablets, Suppositories, Injection (im, iv)
- Hospital Stay Day Surgery (a few hours) to overnight stay
- Full Recovery 4 to 8 weeks
- Additional Info a recognised complication is lymphoedema (swelling) of the arm
- More Information Cancer Research UK
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