complications of axillary node dissection

What is the incidence of all complications, even minor, from this procedure?
What is the incidence of lymphedema?

What has been the reported incidence of complication 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