[Does axillary liposuction modify histologic study of excised lymph nodes?].

OBJECTIVE

To determine the pathological features of lymph nodes removed by axillary liposuction.

METHODS

A prospective study of 34 axillary dissections performed from July 1995 to September 1996 in patients with breast cancer N0. After lipolysis, the fat was drained from the axillary cavity by means of liposuction (Karman nozzle ch.8; suction pressure of 1 Bar). The remaining nodes were removed by an endoscopic dissection in conservative treatments. The remaining nodes were removed during modified radical mastectomy in non-conservative treatments. Lymph nodes were fixed in formol and examined by the pathologist.

RESULTS

An average of 15 lymph nodes (8-35) were removed. 502 lymph nodes were examined: 458 (91%) were not involved and 44 (9%) were involved, including 21 (4%) with rupture of the capsule. No pathological traumatism was seen.

CONCLUSION

Axillary liposuction did not alter the pathological features of lymph nodes in our study.