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Effect of nutritional state on postoperative axillary leakage after axillary lymph node dissection in a new rat model
Yuko Kijima1, Heiji Yoshinaka, Tetsuhiro Owaki
1Department of Surgical Oncology, Breast and Endocrine Surgery, Kagoshima University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, 8-35-1 Sakuragaoka, Kagoshima, 890-8520, Japan.
Purpose:
Axillary leakage after axillary lymph node dissection (ALD) in breast cancer surgery is a frequent and troublesome complication. We conducted this study to establish an experimental model of axillary leakage after ALD; to evaluate axillary leakage in different nutritional states; and to examine the effects of dietary management on axillary leakage.
Methods:
Twenty-eight Wistar rats were divided into two groups according to whether they were fed a high-fat diet or a low-fat diet for 14 weeks before ALD. After ALD, a suction drain was placed in the axilla and continuous suction was started. Axillary leakage was monitored for 9 days, and the drainage fluid and serum were analyzed biochemically.
Results:
The body weights of the two groups were not significantly different before or after ALD. The amount of cumulative drainage fluid was significantly higher on postoperative days 7 and 9 in the high-fat group. The serum phosphate lipid, total cholesterol, and free cholesterol levels, and the free cholesterol level in the drainage fluid were also significantly higher in the high-fat group.
Conclusions:
This model is useful for reproducing lymphatic leakage after ALD. Our findings also suggest that a low-fat diet may be advantageous for patients undergoing ALD as part of breast cancer surgery.
