European journal of surgical oncology : the journal of the European Society of Surgical Oncology and the British Association of Surgical Oncology
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Preservation versus section of intercostal-brachial nerve (IBN) in axillary dissection for breast cancer--a prospective randomized trial.
Preservation of the intercostal-brachial nerve is advocated to reduce side effects of axillary dissection for breast cancer. We conducted a prospective randomized trail to compare functional results: sensory deficit and/or shoulder pain in preserved (group I) vs sacrificed (group II) intercostal-brachial nerve (IBN). ⋯ Conservation of the IBN, while anatomically preferable, is not functionally necessary during axillary dissection for breast cancer.