[Anatomo-surgical considerations on the indications and technic of Patey's radical mastectomy]

After expressing some considerations on "conservative operations" and "limited resections" for cancer of the breast, the Authors describe the technique of performance of modified Patey's radical mastectomy. This operations is less destructive than Halsted's but nevertheless gives a sufficient guarantee of radicality, as confirmed by an examination of the most recent literature. The procedure also allows better aesthetic results to be achieved with subsequent plastic surgery. From the data reported in literature on comparison between the five-year results after radical mastectomy according to Halsted and modified radical mastectomy according to Patey, it can be seen that the survival rate is roughly the same. The local relapse rates both in the cases with lymph node involvement are likewise similar, irrespective of technique. This evidences that Patey's operation is correctly indicated in carcinomas of the breast not yet locally advanced.