Effect of surgical treatment on breast cancer preserving anterior thoracic nerve and intercostobrachial nerve and its influence on postoperative quality of life

Abstract

Objective To investigate the effect of surgical treatment of breast cancer reserving anterior thoracic nerve (ATN) and intercostobrachial nerve (ICBN), and to explore the influence on quality of life after operation. Methods Seventy-eight cases of breast cancer admitted in Sichuan Province Deyang People’s Hospital from January 2014 to January 2016 were selected and divided into observation group (39 cases) and control group (39 cases) according to the random number table. The observation group was treated with ATN and ICBN preserved, and the control group ATN and ICBN divided. The intraoperative and postoperative prognosis, complications and postoperative quality of life were observed and compared between the two groups. Results There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups with intraoperative bleeding volume, operation time and lymph nodes clearance. The incidence of complications in the observation group was significantly lower than that in the control group (χ2=9.974, 11.692, 25.652, all P<0.01). The FACT-B score and the total score of quality of life in the observation group after the operation were significantly lower than those in the control group (all P<0.01). There were no local recurrence, distant metastasis or death in the two groups during the follow-up period of 24-48 months. Conclusion It’s feasible and effective for the early and middle stages of breast cancer patients retaining ATN and ICBN, which can significantly reduce the incidence of complications after radical mastectomy for breast cancer, improve the quality of life of patients. Key words: Breast neoplasms; Mastectomy, modified radical; Anterior thoracic nerve; Intercostal nerves; Quality of life