Optimum Drainage of the Axilla After Lymph Node Dissection: A Randomized Prospective Study
Optimum Drainage of the Axilla After Lymph Node Dissection: A Randomized Prospective Study
RATIONALE: The use of axillary drains may help to prevent complications following axillary lymph node dissection.
PURPOSE: This randomized clinical trial is comparing three methods of axillary drainage to see how well they work following lymph node dissection in women with stage I or stage II breast cancer.
OBJECTIVES:
OUTLINE: This is a randomized study.
Patients undergo axillary dissection, then are randomized to one of three axillary drainage systems.
Patients are followed at day 10 and at 3 months.
PROJECTED ACCRUAL: A total of 200 patients will be accrued for this study.
DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:
Diagnosis of resectable stage I or II breast cancer
Planned primary surgery of level II or III axillary dissection in association with one of the following:
No prior mastectomy
No immediate breast reconstruction using implants, latissimus dorsi, or rectus abdominus myocutaneous flaps at primary operation
Hormone receptor status:
PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:
Age:
Sex:
Menopausal status:
Performance status:
Life expectancy:
Hematopoietic:
Hepatic:
Renal:
Other:
PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:
Biologic therapy:
Chemotherapy:
Endocrine therapy:
Radiotherapy:
Surgery: