[Modified radical mastectomy in local anesthesia]

The authors report their experience on the use of local anesthesia for modified radical mastectomy. They have used this modality in five patients who could not undergo general anesthesia because of underlying severe medical illness and in a sixth one who adamantly refused general anesthesia. They describe in detail the technique used, stressing the importance of a thorough knowledge of regional neuroanatomy. There were no complications in their small series. The authors conclude by stating that the use of local anesthesia may expand the indications for "toilet mastectomy" to include patients in poor medical condition, unsuitable for general anesthesia.