Axillary lymphadenectomy for XXXX - the influence of shoulder mobilisation on lymphatic drainage.

@entity1 @entity1600 @entity0 @entity260
AIM: The purpose of the present study was to study the influence of external axillary compression dressing with immobilisation of the ipsilateral shoulder after @entity1600 ( @entity1600 ) on postoperative axillary drainage. METHODS: One hundred consecutive @entity1 with @entity0 undergoing @entity1600 were enrolled in this study. They were allowed free shoulder movement and were compared with a matched historical control group of 60 @entity1 , in whom the ipsilateral arm was immobilised for four days. For all @entity1 the amount of drainage was recorded each postoperative day until drain removal. Prognostic data on drainage amounts and duration were gathered from all @entity1 . Complications were recorded. RESULTS: Hospital stay was the only statistically significant difference between the two groups, it was prolonged for @entity1 with immobilisation of the arm. The parameters found to influence the drain production with a statistically significant difference were body mass index and the removal of more than 10 lymph nodes. @entity260 were similar in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: External compression dressing of the axillary cavity with immobilisation of the ipsilateral arm has no impact on the postoperative drainage volume and duration. It is associated with adverse effects, such as discomfort, prolonged hospital stay and shoulder stiffness.
