Breast lump removal and axillary node clearance (ANC)

Removal of a lump in the breast and associated lymph nodes in the axilla in suspected cancer (lump lymph nodes are sent to the lab to be investigated for cancer cells)

Speciality General Surgery, Breast Surgery
Urgency elective, urgent
Duration 20 to 45 min
Blood Loss minimal to 250 ml
Anaesthesia General Anaesthetic +/- Nerve Block
Anaesthesia II Local Anaesthetic
Nerve Blocks Paravertebral, Pectoralis 1+2 blocks
Pain mild-moderate (++)
Post-op Pain Local up to 4-8 hours, Nerve Block up to 10-30 hours
Post-op Pain II Tablets, Suppositories, Injection (im, iv)
Hospital Stay Day Surgery (a few hours) to overnight stay
Full Recovery 3 to 6 weeks
Additional Info a recognised complication is lymphoedema (swelling) of the arm

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Specialities

Breast Surgery

Related Operations

Breast cyst - excision
Breast reconstruction
Breast reduction (also called: Reduction mammoplasty)