Research progress of axillary reverse mapping:A new technique to minimize arm lymphedema after breast cancer surgery / 中国肿瘤临床

ABSTRACT

Axillary reverse mapping (ARM) is a technique used to map and preserve arm lymphatic drainage during axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) and/or sentinel lymph node dissection (SLND). As a result, the risk of arm lymphedema is reduced. ARM is an emerging technology for breast cancer surgery and currently in the clinical trial phase. In this article, related clinical trials conducted in recent years were reviewed and the displaying methods of ARM lymph nodes and lymphatic vessels were analyzed. The feasibility of retained ARM lymph nodes and lymphatic vessels was also evaluated. Furthermore, the clinical significance of ARM was evaluated in terms of the reduction of the incidence of upper extremity lymphedema after breast cancer surgery.