Randomized controlled trial comparing mastoscopic with traditional axillary lymph node dissection for early breast cancer        ZHANG Jian, LUO Cheng-yu, JI Xiao-xin, et al. Department of General Surgery, the Affiliated Beijing Fu Xing Hospital，Capital University of Medical Science, Beijin 100038, China
Corresponding author: ZHANG Jian, E-mail:zhang698jian@sina.com
Abstract    Objective    To evaluate feasibility of mastoscopic axillary lymph node dissection (MALND) for breast cancer. Methods    Two hundreds and sixty-seven women with early breast cancer admitted between October 2008 and October 2010 in the Affiliated Beijing Fu Xing Hospital，Capital University of Medical Science were randomly assigned to MALND (134 patients) or traditional axillary lymph node dissection (CALND, 133 patients). The clinical data between two groups were compared. Results    The follow-up was 16-40 months. The median time was 30 months. There was no statistical difference in operation time, intraoperative bleeding, axillary drainage time, number of dissected lymph node, subcutaneously fluidity and recurrence of lymph node in the same axillary. MALND had lower volume of axillary drainage, sensation disorders of upper extremity and incidence of lymph edema. There were statistical differences between two groups. Conclusion    MALND has better cosmetic efficiency, lower complications and affected extremity dysfunction than CALND.