A woman had a mastectomy that included the removal of axilla

A woman had a mastectomy that included the removal of axillary lymph nodes on her left side. What can she expect regarding her left arm and why?

Solution

Answer:

Removal of the axillary lymph nodes results in severe localized edema because the lymphatic vessels are also lost. She can expect chronic edema along the arm, although some lymphatic drainage is eventually reestablished by regrowth of the vessels.