Yue, T., Zhuang, D., Zhou, P., Zheng, L., Fan, Z., Zhu, J., ... & He, Q. (2015). A prospective study to assess the feasibility of axillary reverse mapping and evaluate its effect on preventing lymphedema in breast cancer patients. Clinical Breast Cancer, 15, 301–306.
To determine if lymphedema prevention is affected by the use of the axillary reverse mapping (ARM) procedure
Two groups of patients with breast cancer receiving modified radical mastectomies were randomized to a standard axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) or ALND with ARM.
PHASE OF CARE: Active antitumor treatment
Randomized, controlled trial
Between the experimental and the control group, there was a significant difference (p < 0.001) for both areas of circumference measurement in postoperative lymphedema evaluations. The experimental ARM group had less occurrence of lymphedema.
Based on the data presented by the investigators the incidence of lymphedema and the severity of lymphedema can be reduced by evaluating which lymph nodes really need to be removed to allow for the best lymphatic flow.
Although this intervention doesn't change what staff nurses may do for patients on a day to day basis, it does allow nurses to educate patients about options as well as to open discussion with the oncology team as to the use of this newer intervention.