Intercostobrachial nerve reservation in radical resection of breast cancer

Objective：To investigate the clinical feasibility of reserving the intercostobrachial nerve(ICBN) in radical resection of breast cancer.Methods：Eighty-six cases of breast cancer at stageⅠor Ⅱ were randomly divided into observation group(n=38) and control group(n=48).In the observation group the ICBN were preserved in the axillary lymph node dissection operation,while in the control group the ICBN were resected in the operation.After the operation,both groups were treated as breast cancer and followed up.Results：The differences of esthesiodemt in the internal upper arm and axilla were statistically significant between the two groups(P〈0.01).There was no local tumor or recurrence after a mean of 16 months follow-up.Conclusions：It is feasible to preserve the intercostobrachial nerve in radical resection of breast cancer,which reserves the skin sensory function of the internal upper arm and axilla,thus enhancing the patients quality of life.