The curative effect of preserving intercostobrachial nerve and anterior thoracic nerve in early mastectomy

Objective: To investigate the therapeutic effects of preserving intercostobrachial nerve(ICBN) and anterior thoracic nerve(ATN) in early mastectomy.Methods: The clinical data of 120 early breast cancer female patients treated with modified radical mastectomy were retrospectively analyzed from May 2008 to May 2011.The ICBN and ATN in 65 cases were intactly preserved(preserving group),the ICBN and ATN in 55 cases were resected(resection group).The ectopectoralis atrophy,medial feeling of upper arm,tumor local recurrence and distant metastasis between two groups were compared after operation.Results: The medial abnormal feeling of upper arm and ectopectoralis atrophy in preserving group were significantly lower than those in resection group(P<0.01).The tumor local recurrence and distant metastasis in two groups were not found during the 6 to 36 months of follow-up.Conclusions: Preserving the ICBN and ATN in modified radical mastectomy can effectively reduce the ectopectoralis atrophy and complications of upper arm,and which does not increase the risks of recurrence and metastasis of tumor.