Anatomical Variants During Axillary Dissection

Background: This study was done to document the variations encountered in the anatomy of the axilla because of the difficulty they can cause during dissection.

Methods: A record was made of the anatomy of the axilla in 100 patients with breast cancer who had an axillary dissection.

Results: The variants from the described normal included double axillary veins, abnormal bands of muscle from the latissimus dorsi stretching across the axilla and a medial lying thoracodorsal nerve.

Conclusion: Damage to important structures in the axilla during axillary dissection can be minimized with an awareness of the possible anatomical variations.