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PubMed2004

Low complication rates are achievable after postmastectomy breast reconstruction and radiation therapy.

PURPOSE: To report our institution's experience of complications and cosmetic results among patients who underwent modified radical mastectomy followed by reconstruction and radiation therapy (RT). METHODS AND MATERIALS: Between 1987 and 2002, 85 patients with breast cancer underwent modified radical mastectomy, breast reconstruction, and postoperative RT. Reconstruction consisted of tissue expander/implant (TE/I) in 50 patients and an autologous transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous (TRAM) flap in 35 patients. The primary end point of this study was the actuarial incidence of major and minor complications involving the reconstruction. Cosmesis was also assessed at each follow-up visit. RESULTS: The median follow-up from reconstruction was 28 months. The 5-year major complication rate was 0% in the TRAM group vs. 5% in the TE/I group (p = 0.21). The 5-year minor complication rate was 39% for the TRAM group vs. 14% for the TE/I group (p = 0.04). None (0%) of the TRAM complications required any corrective surgery, whereas 2 (33%) of the TE/I complications required implant removal. Of the TRAM patients with complications, 100% had superior cosmetic scores of excellent/good compared to only 17% of the TE/I patients who had complications (p = 0.003). Use of our custom-fashioned bolus resulted in a lower complication rate compared with standard bolus (p = 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Patients treated with breast reconstruction and RT can experience a very low rate of major complications. We demonstrate no significant difference in the overall rate of major complications between TRAM and TE/I patients. Bolus can be safely used during postmastectomy RT with reconstruction, and we advocate the use of a custom wax bolus in the treatment of these patients. Postmastectomy RT should be considered in all eligible patients, even in the setting of reconstruction.

Adult↗

PubMed2003

A case study: prescriptive exercise intervention after bilateral mastectomies.

Exercise for cancer patients is gaining support. In the current case study, a female breast cancer patient was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 29 years; she underwent a left modified radical mastectomy. She developed cancer again in the opposite breast at the age of 57 years and had a right modified radical mastectomy. After the second mastectomy (the right breast), the patient received chemotherapy and radiation. Following her cancer treatments, she participated in an exercise intervention for 6 months at the University of Northern Colorado's Rocky Mountain Cancer Rehabilitation Institute. A 6-month reassessment showed that she increased her muscular strength and cardiovascular function in addition to attenuating her cancer-related fatigue and depression. It is recommended that health professionals work together to ensure that a collaborative effort is undertaken to increase functional work capacity that will significantly improve patients' quality of life.

Adult↗

PubMed1992

Results of the National Cancer Institute early breast cancer trial.

In 1979, a prospective, randomized trial was begun at the National Cancer Institute comparing lumpectomy, axillary dissection, and radiation therapy (XRT) to modified radical mastectomy for the treatment of invasive breast cancer, clinical stage T1-2, N0-1, M0. Treatment in the radiation arm consisted of full axillary dissection and gross removal of the tumor, followed by 4500 to 5000 cGy to the whole breast and a boost to the tumor bed of 1500 to 2000 cGy. Patients with positive axillary dissections received radiation to the supraclavicular nodes, in addition to cyclophosphamide and doxorubicin. Two hundred thirty-seven patients entered in the trial between 1979 and 1987 are available for analysis, 116 in the mastectomy arm and 121 in the radiation arm. With a median follow-up of 67.7 months, there are no significant differences in 5-year overall survival (85% vs 89%, mastectomy vs radiation) or 5-year disease-free survival (82% vs 72%, mastectomy vs radiation). Patients in the radiation arm had an actuarial in-breast recurrence rate of 12% at 5 years and 20% at 8 years. There were no major differences between complication rates in the treatment arms. The results of the study indicate that patients with invasive breast cancer, stage I and II, can be treated with lumpectomy, axillary dissection, and radiation therapy with results comparable to those with modified radical mastectomy.

Actuarial Analysis↗

PubMed2002

Locoregional failure of postmastectomy patients with 1-3 positive axillary lymph nodes without adjuvant radiotherapy.

PURPOSE: To analyze the incidence and risk factors for locoregional recurrence (LRR) in patients with breast cancer who had T1 or T2 primary tumor and 1-3 histologically involved axillary lymph nodes treated with modified radical mastectomy without adjuvant radiotherapy (RT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between April 1991 and December 1998, 125 patients with invasive breast cancer were treated with modified radical mastectomy and were found to have 1-3 positive axillary nodes. The median number of nodes examined was 17 (range 7-33). Of the 125 patients, 110, who had no adjuvant RT and had a minimum follow-up of 25 months, were included in this study. Sixty-nine patients received adjuvant chemotherapy and 84 received adjuvant hormonal therapy with tamoxifen. Patient-related characteristics (age, menopausal status, medial/lateral quadrant of tumor location, T stage, tumor size, estrogen/progesterone receptor protein status, nuclear grade, extracapsular extension, lymphovascular invasion, and number of involved axillary nodes) and treatment-related factors (chemotherapy and hormonal therapy) were analyzed for their impact on LRR. The median follow-up was 54 months. RESULTS: Of 110 patients without RT, 17 had LRR during follow-up. The 4-year LRR rate was 16.1% (95% confidence interval [CI] 9.1-23.1%). All but one LRR were isolated LRR without preceding or simultaneous distant metastasis. According to univariate analysis, age <40 years (p = 0.006), T2 classification (p = 0.04), tumor size >==3 cm (p = 0.002), negative estrogen receptor protein status (p = 0.02), presence of lymphovascular invasion (p = 0.02), and no tamoxifen therapy (p = 0.0006) were associated with a significantly higher rate of LRR. Tumor size (p = 0.006) was the only risk factor for LRR with statistical significance in the multivariate analysis. On the basis of the 4 patient-related factors (age <40 years, tumor >==3 cm, negative estrogen receptor protein, and lymphovascular invasion), the high-risk group (with 3 or 4 factors) had a 4-year LRR rate of 66.7% (95% CI 42.8-90.5%) compared with 7.8% (95% CI 2.2-13.3%) for the low-risk group (with 0-2 factors; p = 0.0001). For the 110 patients who received no adjuvant RT, LRR was associated with a 4-year distant metastasis rate of 49.0% (9 of 17, 95% CI 24.6-73.4%). For patients without LRR, it was 13.3% (15 of 93, 95% CI 6.3-20.3%; p = 0.0001). The 4-year survival rate for patients with and without LRR was 75.1% (95% CI 53.8-96.4%) and 88.7% (95% CI 82.1-95.4%; p = 0.049), respectively. LRR was independently associated with a higher risk of distant metastasis and worse survival in multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION: LRR after mastectomy is not only a substantial clinical problem, but has a significant impact on the outcome of patients with T1 or T2 primary tumor and 1-3 positive axillary nodes. Patients with risk factors for LRR may need adjuvant RT. Randomized trials are warranted to determine the potential benefit of postmastectomy RT on the survival of patients with a T1 or T2 primary tumor and 1-3 positive nodes.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Optimal surgical treatment of invasive lobular carcinoma of the breast.

BACKGROUND: The roles of breast conservation and surgical evaluation of the contralateral breast in the treatment of lobular carcinoma of the breast remain unclear. The aim of this study was to compare local recurrence, 5-year survival, and incidence of contralateral breast cancer in women with lobular carcinoma to that in women with infiltrating ductal carcinoma. METHODS: Women with infiltrating ductal carcinoma (IDC) and invasive lobular breast carcinoma (ILC) diagnosed during the years 1984 to 1994 were identified through a statewide tumor registry. The women were divided into groups based on their histology and treatment (breast conservation or modified radical mastectomy). The incidences of contralateral breast cancer, local recurrence, and 5-year survival were compared within each histologic group and treatment category. RESULTS: During the period 1984 to 1994, 4886 women were diagnosed with invasive lobular or ductal breast carcinoma. Of these, 316 (6.5%) had infiltrating lobular cancer. The 5-year survival rates were 68% and 71% for ILC and IDC, respectively (p = 0.5). The local recurrence rates were 2.8% and 4.3% for ILC treated with lumpectomy and axillary nodal dissection (LAND) and modified radical mastectomy (MRM), respectively, which were not significantly different from that obtained with IDC (LAND = 2.5%, MRM = 2.1%). The incidence of contralateral breast cancer during the period was 6.6% and 6.5% for ILC and IDC, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Invasive lobular carcinoma can be safely treated with breast conservation with no difference in local recurrence or survival. In the absence of a suspicious finding on clinical or radiologic examination, routine contralateral breast intervention is not recommended.

Breast Neoplasms↗

PubMed2004

Single-agent epirubicin as primary chemotherapy in T2-T3, N0-N2, M0 breast carcinoma: 6-year follow-up.

OBJECTIVE: Single-agent epirubicin was tested as primary chemotherapy treatment in patients with early breast cancer >3 cm. METHODS: 100 women with locally advanced breast cancer >3 cm were treated with three cycles of single-agent epirubicin at a dose of 120 mg/m2. All patients showing tumor shrinkage to less than 3 cm were considered candidates for conservative surgery (quadrantectomy); in the remaining patients modified radical mastectomy was carried out. Postsurgical treatment consisted of CMF chemotherapy except for postmenopausal node-positive, estrogen-positive patients who were assigned to hormonal treatment with tamoxifen and postmenopausal node-negative, estrogen-positive ones who did not receive any treatment. RESULTS: Quadrantectomy was carried out in 71 patients. At the median follow-up time of 69 months, the relapse rate was 29.6% among patients who underwent quadrantectomy (21 out of 71) and 58.6% among patients who underwent modified radical mastectomy (17 out of 29). CONCLUSIONS: Single-agent chemotherapy with anthracyclines could appear to be an effective treatment in inducing a tumor downstaging in patients with early breast cancer >3 cm. This treatment can be administered outside clinical trials in patients who desire to preserve their body integrity. Further prospective, randomized trials are needed in order to validate and better define the role of epirubicin in the neoadjuvant strategy of breast cancer patients.

Adult↗

PubMed2003

A 40-year delayed locoregional recurrence of breast carcinoma following mastectomy.

A 90-year-old woman who underwent a left modified radical mastectomy 40 years ago with no further adjuvant treatment presented with a left chest wall mass at the suture line. A biopsy of the mass confirmed that it was invasive ductal carcinoma of the breast. After a negative metastatic work-up, the patient underwent a local resection of the chest wall mass with clear margins. We present here the longest documented delayed recurrence after modified radical mastectomy reported in the literature.

Aged↗

PubMed2001

Surgical outcomes after breast cancer surgery: measuring acute lymphedema.

BACKGROUND: Studies of lymphedema have used inconsistent measures and criteria. The purpose of this pilot study was to measure the onset and incidence of acute lymphedema in breast cancer survivors using strict criteria for limb evaluation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eligible women were those undergoing breast cancer surgery that included axillary staging and/or radiation therapy of the breast. Arm volume, strength, and flexibility were measured preoperatively and quarterly. Lymphedema was defined as a greater than 10% increase in limb volume. Additional strength and flexibility assessments were done at these times. RESULTS: In 30 evaluable patients, half underwent modified radical mastectomy and half lumpectomy, with half of the lumpectomy patients undergoing axillary node staging. Of the 30 patients 27% were Stage 0; the rest were Stage I (27%), IIA (13%), IIB (23%), and IIIA (7%). One subject was IIIB postoperatively. There were 2 women with a 10% or greater change in limb volume; the change was detected in one woman at 3 months (5% incidence) and in the second woman at 6 months (11% incidence). Both had undergone mastectomy and axillary dissection and one of these two women had symptoms of tingling and numbness in the affected arm that began at 3 months. Overall, 35% of the sample experienced symptoms by 3 months, which included numbness, aching, and tingling of the entire upper extremity, but without volume changes. The relationship between undergoing modified radical mastectomy and experiencing symptoms in the affected limb at 3 months was significant (P = 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In this interim report strict methods of measurement and limb volume comparisons detected acute lymphedema at 3 months in 5% of the sample, and at 6 months in 11% of the sample. Furthermore, symptoms were detected in 35% without volume changes at 3 months postoperatively, which may warn of lymphedema occurrence within the next 3 months. This may assist clinical evaluation of symptoms in the postoperative period and support early referral to lymphedema experts.

Adult↗

PubMed1998

Radiation tolerance of transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous-free flaps used in immediate breast reconstruction.

The authors determine the effects of postoperative radiation therapy on flap and local control outcomes in patients who have undergone immediate transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous (TRAM)-free flap reconstruction after modified radical mastectomy for locally advanced breast cancer. Details of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy for 21 patients who had undergone immediate TRAM-free flap reconstruction after modified radical mastectomy were gathered retrospectively. The outcomes examined were flap complications, overall cosmesis, and local recurrence rate. Radiation therapy was indicated for large primary tumors (T3-T4), close or positive margins, or extensive nodal disease. With a mean follow-up interval of 19 months, there have been no flap complications or losses. Cosmesis was rated as excellent by 60% of patients, good by 30%, and fair by the remaining 10%. Three patients thought that radiation had improved cosmesis, one noted worse cosmesis, and the remainder thought it had no effect on cosmesis. The local control rate was 86%. Postreconstruction irradiation of TRAM-free flaps used in immediate reconstruction for locally advanced breast cancer appears safe and cosmetically acceptable.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Sensory blockade after thoracic paravertebral injection of ropivacaine or bupivacaine.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: No clinical trials comparing the characteristics of sensory blockade caused by various local anaesthetics in thoracic paravertebral blockade have been published. The aim of this prospective study was a clinical assessment of sensory blockade after paravertebral injection of ropivacaine or bupivacaine in patients undergoing modified radical mastectomy. METHODS: Seventy ASA I-II patients were randomized to receive a single injection of ropivacaine 0.5% (n = 35) or bupivacaine 0.5% (n = 35) at the T4 level. General anaesthesia with propofol and fentanyl was provided during the procedure and patients were not intubated. The following parameters were analysed: duration and dynamics of the sensory blockade and the patient's and surgeon's assessment. RESULTS: Both ropivacaine and bupivacaine provided a similar level of analgesia. Ropivacaine was characterized by more rapid onset - after only 5 min 53% of patients in this group had the extent of sensory blockade wide enough to perform modified radical mastectomy in comparison to only 20% after bupivacaine (P 9 segments blocked) was noted more often in the ropivacaine group (88% vs. 65%, P < 0.05), lasted longer and appeared to be wider than sensory blockade produced by bupivacaine. Regression of sensory blockade was initially similar, but after 24 h sensory blockade in the ropivacaine group still had a potential to provide analgesia for modified radical mastectomy in 81% of patients in comparison to only 50% of such patients in the bupivacaine group (P < 0.05). Degree of postoperative pain, performance of the cardiovascular system, consumption of medications and complications were all similar between the study groups. CONCLUSIONS: Both agents provide satisfactory conditions for mastectomy, but ropivacaine seems to be superior to bupivacaine for thoracic paravertebral blockade during breast cancer surgery.

Amides↗

PubMed1987

Conservative treatment in the clinical stage T1N0 of breast cancer.

A 18-year experience with 643 cases operated for breast cancer is reported. 161 cases belonged to the clinical stage T1N0: 78 underwent modified radical mastectomy (group 1) and 83 underwent conservative surgery (group 2). Conservative treatment consisted in quadrantectomy and axillary dissection of 1st, 2nd and 3rd level with postoperative radiotherapy (5000 rad). Within the two groups the patient's characteristics were homogeneous with juxtaposable curves of overall and disease-free survival after modified radical mastectomy and after conservative surgery. In 15.38% of cases undergoing modified radical mastectomy and in 13.25% of cases undergoing quadrantectomy, histologic examination showed the presence of lymph node metastases (pT1N1) not identified at the clinical examination. The analysis of results showed that early neoplastic recurrence is almost exclusively limited to cases pN1, but the fall in the survival curve it similar in group 1 as well as in group 2. Therefore it should be understood that the prognostic risk is related to positive lymph nodes and not to the chosen treatment. Postoperative complications, irrelevant in group 1, tend to disappear in group 2. The cosmetic result after conservative surgery was excellent in 37.3%, satisfactory in 54.2% and poor in 8.4% of cases, respectively.

Adult↗

PubMed1992

A prospective randomized trial of single versus multiple drains in the axilla after lymphadenectomy.

Increasing duration and amount of postoperative fluid formation after axillary lymphadenectomy delays final healing. We postulated that multiple drains (instead of a single drain) might decrease postoperative fluid accumulation by their greater proximity to points of leakage. We randomized 65 women with clinical stage I or II carcinoma of the breast to single or multiple drains. They were stratified for axillary dissection or modified radical mastectomy. For axillary dissection, randomization to multiple drains meant placement of four catheters in the axilla, and randomized to the single drain, one catheter in the axilla. For modified radical mastectomy, the patients randomized to multiple drains received four catheters in the axilla and one catheter under the inferior flap; the patients randomized to single drains had one catheter in the axilla and one catheter under the inferior flap. All catheters exited separately. The two arms (single versus multiple drains) were determined to be homogeneous in other variables that may affect postoperative fluid formation--age, size of the breast, weight, height, obesity, presence of previous surgical biopsy, excision of pectoralis minor muscle, excision of thoracodorsal complex, level of axillary dissection, number of lymph nodes, number and proportion of positive lymph nodes and whether or not the dominant hand was on the side operated upon. Single versus multiple drains had no clinically significant effect on the amount or duration of drainage, as an inpatient or outpatient, or total. We recommend a single drain to the axilla after lymphadenectomy.

Adult↗

PubMed1992

Radical breast surgery with a contact Nd:YAG laser scalpel.

The use of a contact Nd:YAG laser scalpel during radical and modified radical mastectomy was evaluated in 18 patients with carcinoma of the breast. The laser scalpel performed well as a haemostatic tool, the associated mean blood loss for modified radical mastectomy being 132 ml. Operating time, operative blood loss, laser energy required and postoperative wound drainage were all related to patient obesity, correlating significantly with body weight and/or breast weight. The incidence of axillary seroma was not reduced by laser surgery and occurred in 53% of patients undergoing modified radical mastectomy. The Nd:YAG laser scalpel is an excellent haemostatic tool but it does not appear to have any other advantages over conventional surgery for mastectomy.

Adult↗

PubMed2003

Sentinel lymph node biopsy followed by delayed mastectomy and reconstruction.

BACKGROUND: The role of sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy with total mastectomy is evolving. In patients who desire mastectomy with immediate reconstruction, the final pathologic results of the SLN may create unique problems. Specifically, if the SLN is found to be positive on final pathology, the reconstructed patient would generally require a potentially difficult re-operation on the remaining axillary nodes. The purpose of this study was to review the results of patients who underwent an initial SNL biopsy followed by a planned mastectomy and reconstruction. METHODS: A chart review of patients who underwent staged SLN biopsy with subsequent definitive procedure between 1997 and 2001 was conducted. These were evaluated with regard to type of tumor, status of sentinel node, and design of subsequent operation. RESULTS: There were 40 patients who underwent an initial SLN biopsy followed by a staged mastectomy with reconstruction. Tumors included high-grade carcinoma in situ (n = 4), infiltrating ductal carcinoma (n = 28), invasive lobular carcinoma (n = 4), mucinous carcinoma (n = 1), adenoid cystic carcinoma (n = 1), and mixed ductal and lobular carcinoma (n = 2). Tissue biopsy was obtained by either open (n = 9) or needle (n = 31) technique. Twenty-five patients had a negative SLN biopsy and a delayed total mastectomy with immediate reconstruction. Positive SLNs were identified in 15 patients (37%). Eight patients had macroscopic nodal metastases and underwent a delayed modified radical mastectomy and immediate reconstruction. Seven patients had microscopic nodal metastases and 3 declined further axillary dissection. They proceeded with total mastectomy and immediate reconstruction. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that a substantial proportion of patients treated with SLN biopsy, simple mastectomy, and reconstruction will have positive sentinel lymph nodes. Thus, the ideal approach for patients who wish to have reconstruction should involve an initial SLN biopsy as a separate procedure. If the SLN is benign, the patient may undergo a total mastectomy with immediate reconstruction. However, a patient with a positive SLN may proceed to a modified radical mastectomy with immediate reconstruction. This treatment algorithm eliminates a potentially difficult reoperation on the axilla following reconstruction.

Breast Neoplasms↗

PubMed1995

Treatment trends for ductal carcinoma in situ of the breast.

BACKGROUND: As a result of clinical trial publications, breast conservation treatment has been increasingly used for invasive breast cancer. The patterns of care for ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) were analyzed for the years 1985, 1986, 1988, 1990, and 1991 to determine whether the same treatment principles had been applied to patients with non-invasive disease. METHODS: Data submitted on 20,556 patients with DCIS during the 5 study years were analyzed with regard to basic demographics and treatment trends. RESULTS: Breast-conserving surgery for DCIS increased from 20.9% in 1985 to 35.4% in 1991. Modified radical mastectomy remained constant at 42%. Axillary node surgery increased from 52% in 1985 to 58.5% in 1991. The use of radiation therapy for patients with partial mastectomy and no lymph node dissection ranges from 24.2% in 1990 to 37.7% in 1985, with 31.1% receiving radiation therapy in 1991. Patients undergoing lymph node dissection with partial mastectomy were more than twice as likely to receive postoperative radiation therapy than were patients without lymph node dissection. CONCLUSIONS: Modified radical mastectomy remains the most common surgical procedure, despite the eligibility of many women for breast conservation treatment. As of 1991 the majority of women were still undergoing axillary lymph node surgery despite a node positivity rate of approximately 1%. Radiation therapy is significantly underused in patients with partial mastectomy, especially when no nodes were removed. Clinical trial results and professional education for DCIS treatment should change these trends.

Adult↗

PubMed1991

Treatment of carcinoma of the breast in the older geriatric patient.

With recent changes in the management of carcinoma of the breast and a population that is increasingly aging, it behooves us to determine the most appropriate treatment of carcinoma of the breast in the elderly. We reviewed the records of 150 women 80 years of age or greater who were diagnosed between 1970 and 1980 at the Massachusetts General Hospital as having carcinoma of the breast. In these selected patients, treatment with operation or radiotherapy was well tolerated. Of the 103 patients who had mastectomies, only one patient died during the postoperative period. The complication rate from mastectomy was similar to that reported for younger patients. All of the patients who began radiotherapy completed their courses of treatment. Complications from radiotherapy were generally transient and easily tolerated. Five year actuarial survival rates for patients with Stages I and II disease were similar for those receiving primary radiation therapy (67 per cent) or modified radical mastectomy (65 per cent). However, the comparable survival rate for those treated with lumpectomy alone was only 39 per cent. Local and regional failures occurred with lumpectomy, total mastectomy or primary radiation therapy, but not with modified radical mastectomy. We conclude that age alone should not dictate the treatment for carcinoma of the breast. An otherwise healthy elderly woman should be offered the same treatment options for the treatment of carcinoma of the breast as those offered to younger patients.

Aged↗

PubMed2002

Radiotherapy and breast reconstruction: complications and cosmesis with TRAM versus tissue expander/implant.

PURPOSE: Radiotherapy (RT) has an important role in breast cancer treatment after modified radical mastectomy. Many of these patients also undergo breast reconstruction. We reviewed our institutions' experience to determine the outcome of patients treated with breast reconstruction and RT. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Between 1981 and 1999, 48 breast cancer patients underwent modified radical mastectomy, breast reconstruction, and ipsilateral breast RT during their treatment course. Reconstruction either preceded or followed RT. Autologous reconstruction with a transverse rectus abdominus myocutaneous (TRAM) flap was performed in 30 patients, and 18 underwent expander and implant (E/I) reconstruction. The primary endpoint was the quality of the reconstructed, irradiated breast, as measured by analyzing the actuarial incidence of complications. The cosmetic outcome was also assessed by multidisciplinary review of the follow-up visits. RESULTS: The median follow-up from reconstruction was 32 months. The actuarial 2-year complication rate was 53% for patients receiving E/I vs. 12% for those receiving TRAM reconstruction (p <0.01). No other patient or treatment-related factors had a significant impact on complications. The cosmetic outcome was also significantly better in the TRAM subgroup than in the E/I subgroup. CONCLUSION: The tolerance and cosmetic outcome of breast reconstruction for breast cancer patients in irradiated sites depends significantly on the type of reconstruction used.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Post-mastectomy chylous fistula: anatomical and clinical implications.

A chylous fistula after a modified radical mastectomy is a rare occurrence; however, major anatomical variations in the termination of the thoracic duct may occur, rendering it susceptible to injury. High output chylous fistulae are difficult to manage and have local, metabolic, and immunologic complications with a mortality rate varying from 12.5-50%. Herein such a case of postmastectomy chylous fistula and its management are discussed. A 56-year-old postmenopausal woman with invasive duct carcinoma of the left breast underwent modified radical mastectomy with complete axillary clearance (Level I, II, III nodes). The operative procedure was uneventful. On the commencement of a normal diet, however, the patient started exuding milky fluid from the axillary drain and analysis of the fluid revealed biochemical features compatible with chyle. After 2 weeks of failed conservative management, the axilla was re-explored. A continuous flow of clear fluid was observed originating from a single major lymphatic trunk inferior to the axillary vein in the region of the former Level II nodes. The leak was controlled by the application of multiple mass ligatures using 2-0 silk suture. A part of the pectoralis major muscle was rotated and sutured over the area of the leak as additional reinforcement. Suturing a muscle flap over the leak has been described previously and functions theoretically by causing fibrosis. The chylous fistula in the present case was managed successfully with mass ligatures and muscle flap reinforcement.

Chyle↗