Abstract
IntroductionPrecise identification of axillary vein during axillary lymph node dissection is an important step. Trainees in surgery often find it difficult to identify the exact level of axillary vein because surface marking of axillary vein is not described in most standard textbooks of anatomy and operative surgery. MethodsWe have identified the surface markings for axillary vein on 150 patients undergoing axillary lymph node dissection. We mark the axillary crease of skin between upper arm and axilla and identify two distinct dimples at the anterior and posterior ends of this skin crease. We then place a finger horizontally at the midpoint between the two dimples directed towards lateral edge of pectoralis major muscle. This position of finger marks the surface anatomy of underlying axillary vein. ResultsThe axillary vein was found to be located deep to this surface marking. In some patients, the marking was found to overlap the width of axillary vein partially. However, in all cases atleast some part of vein lies deep to the midpoint of two axillary crease dimples. DiscussionA simple and a reliable technique of locating the axillary vein using surface landmarks is described.
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