Axillary reverse mapping using fluorescence imaging is useful for identifying the risk group of postoperative lymphedema in breast cancer patients undergoing sentinel node biopsies.

Background: Axillary reverse mapping (ARM) is a novel technique for preserving the upper extremity lymphatic pathways during axillary lymph node surgery. However, there is no evidence of the usefulness of ARM for patients undergoing sentinel lymph node biopsy (SNB).

Methods: Between August 2009 and July 2012, 372 patients who underwent the SNB procedure for breast cancer were enrolled in this study.