WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES OF SLND OVER TRADITIONAL AXILLARY NODE DISSECTION (ALND)?
Many times in counseling patients I am asked by those who still have their wits about them: ” Well lymph nodes must be there for a reason”? And theyre absolutely right. The lymphatics are a vital part of the micro-circulation. They serve as channels through which the base liquid of the body ( the extra-cellular fluid) is re-routed into the circulatory system. The lymph nodes serve to filter the liquids and to maintain the sterility through the actions of the immune system, elements of which are found in the nodes in abundance. Removal of critical numbers of lymph nodes interrupts the re-routing process and can lead to congestion of the tissues served by regional lymphatics. Sentinel lymph node biopsy limits the disruption, and makes congestion of the arm or the breast, a condition called LYMPHEDEMA, an unlikely event. In addition since the trauma of surgery is decreased, patients have fewer complaints of nerve injury or PARESTHESIA after SLND. Clinical lymphedema does not occur in ever
