Objective improvement in upper limb lymphoedema following ipsilateral latissimus dorsi pedicled flap breast reconstruction--a case series and review of literature.

Objective: We present a series of three patients whose upper limb lymphoedema (following total oncologic mastectomy and level III axillary clearance) resolved significantly after ipsilateral pedicled latissimus dorsi (LD) flap breast reconstruction.

Methods: A retrospective review of the medical records of patients who had undergone oncologic mastectomy and level III axillary clearance with subsequent LD pedicled flap reconstruction was carried out. Individuals who had undergone review and treatment by the lymphoedema service were identified and patients with incomplete pre- or post-operative records were excluded.

Three stage axillary lymphatic massage optimizes sentinel lymph node localisation using blue dye.

Aims: This paper describes a simple technique of axillary and breast massage which improves the successful identification of blue sentinel nodes using patent blue dye alone.

Methods: Patent blue dye was injected in the subdermal part of the retroaroelar area in 167 patients having surgical treatment for invasive breast cancer. Three stage axillary lymphatic massage was performed prior to making the axillary incision for sentinel lymph node biopsy.