The modified radical mastectomy of Patey: technique and experience

We report our experience from 193 patients with breast cancer treated by Modified Radical Mastectomy of Patey and describe the technique used, amplified by illustrations. We achieved a low morbidity viz symptomatic lymphoedema five cases, chronic shoulder stiffness one case, skin grafting two cases, and all cases of chest wall pain cleared by four years. Cancer recurred, to date, local in nine cases (4.6%), local and systemic in 17 cases (8.9%) and systemic in 27 cases (13.9%). We compile, for the first time, all references by Patey and Richard Handley to the procedure. We recommend the operation as achieving complete primary clearance with safe and full axillary node removal. Histological state of the nodes allows rational decisions on adjuvant therapy with hormones and chemotherapy.