axillary node dissection

What are the complications of his procedure?
What is the incidence of these complications?

What is the advantage of sentinel node biopsy?
What is the reported incidence of complications from sentinel node biopsy?

[CCF-RN,MSN-JS]

Dear Gretta, An axillary lymph node dissection involves removing the lymph nodes under the arm, in order to check them for cancer.  This procedure is done usually at the time of mastectomy or lumpectomy.  An incision is made about 2 inches across the armpit, and the surgeon removes the section of fat in the hollow of the armpit, which contains many of the lymph nodes.  A pathologist then examines the lymphnodes in the specimen.

The sentinel lymph node (SLN) is the first lymph node to drain the primary tumor.  The theory is, if the SLN does not contain cancer then the lymph nodes