Anatomical variants during axillary dissection

BACKGROUND: This study was done to document the variations encountered in the anatomy of the axilla because of the difficulty they can cause during dissection. METHODS: A record was made of the anatomy of the axilla in 100 patients with breast cancer who had an axillary dissection. RESULTS: The variants from the described normal included double axillary veins, abnormal bands of muscle from the latissimus dorsi stretching across the axilla and a medial lying thoracodorsal nerve. CONCLUSION: Damage to important structures in the axilla during axillary dissection can be minimized with an awareness of the possible anatomical variations.