Axillary Lymph Node Dissection with Focus Harmonic Scalpel in Breast Cancer

Objective To evaluate the effect and safety of Focus harmonic scalpel applied in axillary lymph nodes dissection for breast cancer. Method The patients who undergone axillary lymph nodes dissection for breast cancer were devided into the research group( 64 patients) and the control group( 67 patients). The patients of the research group were operated with HARMONIC scalpel and FOCUS bit,and those of the control group were operated with high frequency electrotome. The operation time,average time of armpit draining,average postoperative hospitalization days,bleeding volume and number of dissected axillary nodes were compared between the two groups. Results The operation time,average time of armpit draining,average postoperative hospitalization days of the research group were significantly shorter than those of the control group. However,there was no significant difference in bleeding volume and number of dissected axillary nodes between the two groups( P 0. 05). Conclusion Compared to that with high frequency electrotome,axillary lymph nodes dissection with HARMONIC FOCUS was safe and effective,which could shorten the operation time,average time of armpit draining,average postoperative hospitalization days,and reduce armpit draining volume.