General Perspective
and Overview
The relative risks and complications
increase proportionately according to the
type of surgery, site of a breast
lesion, extent of procedure performed, technique,
the complexity of the problem, and the
breast and lesion size. Extensive
or complex surgery usually carries
higher risks of bleeding and infection than
smaller procedures, in general terms.
Similarly, risk is relatively higher for
recurrent and complex breast problems,
for associated axillary lymph node
dissections and especially for those
closer to neural structures (e.g., brachial
plexus, axillary, long thoracic, or
thoracodorsal). Axillary lymph node dissection
procedures are typically associated
with a higher frequency and greater
range of complications compared to
procedures involving the breast alone.
This is principally related to the
surgical accessibility, risk of tissue/nerve
injury, seroma formation, and
interruption of lymphatic channels and outflow
from the upper limb and chest.
