[Vascular changes in postmastectomy "thick arm"].

Abstract

The authors, after shortly outlining some pathogenetic theories about postmastectomy "big arm", especially dwell upon the theory of the hindered venous discharge. They, subsequently, through a clear and interesting phlebographic iconography, illustrate ten of the 41 cases suffering from such syndrome, they recently had the opportunity to observe. On the basis of their own experience, and according to part of the literature thereabout, the authors think very probably the postmastectomy "big arm" is to be ascribed to the hindered venous reflux of upper limb (for thrombosis or compression), due to the operation of mastectomy. As a conclusion, they suggest the improvement or recovery of this syndrome by stepping over the stenosed venous tract through a by-pass.