[Conservative axillary curettage in the treatment of operable breast cancers]

Functional motor and sensory sequelae of conservative or non-conservative treatment of breast cancer are due essentially to axillary curettage, during which the nerve branches crossing the axillary pyramid are often sectioned. Analysis of axillary glands is now fundamental for determination of prognosis and adjuvant treatment required. The present report demonstrates that knowledge of the glandular state can be obtained, while limiting functional sequelae, by careful dissection of axilla avoiding all nervous elements (motor nerves of latissimus dorsi, serratus anterior and pectorals, perforating intercostal sensory nerves) and the must important vascular structures (inferior scapula pedicle and pedicle of pectoral muscles.