Technical and aesthetic considerations in the horseshoe incision and approach in axillary node dissection.

Previously described incisions for axillary dissection suffer from several drawbacks--extended dissection, limited exposure and visible scars. We have designed the horseshoe incision and approach to obviate some of the problems described. The incision is in the hair bearing area. The direct approach to the axillary content makes exposure excellent and the dissection is circumscribed to the axillary area. Our experience with this technique is encouraging.