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BACKGROUND: Surgical manipulations of the axilla may cause a condition known as Axillary Web Syndrome (AWS). The systems compromised and the sequence of events leading to this syndrome remains unknown. This study evaluated clinical, surgical, and vascular factors associated with onset and duration of AWS after breast cancer surgery. METHODS AND RESULTS: In this prospective study, 155 women were included. They were submitted to a physical examination that consisted of ultrasound Doppler of axillary and brachial vessels and the evaluation of AWS in 1, 3, and 6 months after breast cancer surgery. Women with advanced disease had a significantly higher incidence of AWS than those with early stage breast cancer (p = 0.02). In addition, women who underwent mastectomy or axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) had a significantly higher incidence of AWS in the 1-month (p < 0.01; p < 0.01) and 3-months (p < 0.01; p = 0.02) assessment rounds, respectively. The cross-sectional area of brachial artery was significantly smaller (p = 0.04) in women with AWS at the 3-months postoperative visit. The peak systolic velocity and the blood flow of the axillary artery was significantly higher in women with AWS 6 months after surgery (p < 0.03 and p = 0.02 respectively). CONCLUSION: Our study confirm the combined changes of lymphatic and vascular systems in woman with AWS, since AWS was associated with more extensive dissection of axillary lymph nodes, compromised lymph nodes, and with abnormalities of the vascular parameters.

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Abstract Axillary web syndrome is characterized as a physical-functional complication that impacts the quality of life of women who have undergone treatment for breast cancer. The present study aims to verify the physiotherapy treatment available for axillary web syndrome after surgery for breast cancer in the context of evidence-based practice. The selection criteria included papers discussing treatment protocols used for axillary web syndrome after treatment for breast cancer. The search was performed in the MEDLINE, Scopus, PEDro and LILACS databases using the terms axillary web syndrome, lymphadenectomy and breast cancer, focusing on women with a previous diagnosis of breast cancer who underwent surgery with lymphadenectomy as part of their treatment. From the 262 studies found, 4 articles that used physiotherapy treatment were selected. The physiotherapy treatment was based on lymphatic drainage, tissue mobilization, stretching and strengthening. The four selected articles had the same outcome: improvement in arm pain and shoulder function and/or dissipation of the axillary cord. Although axillary web syndrome seems to be as frequent and detrimental as other morbidities after cancer treatment, there are few studies on this subject. The publications are even scarcer when considering studies with an interventional approach. Randomized controlled trials are necessary to support the rehabilitation resources for axillary web syndrome.

Resumo A síndrome da rede axilar (ou cordão axilar) é uma complicação físico-funcional que interfere na qualidade de vida de mulheres que foram submetidas a tratamento para o câncer de mama. O objetivo do presente estudo foi verificar os tratamentos fisioterapêuticos disponíveis para a síndrome da rede axilar após o tratamento cirúrgico do câncer de mama no contexto da prática clínica baseada em evidências. Utilizou-se como critério de inclusão artigos que discutissem protocolos de tratamento para a síndrome da rede axilar após o tratamento para o câncer de mama. A pesquisa foi realizada nas bases de dados MEDLINE, Scopus, PEDro e LILACS, utilizando como palavras-chave síndrome da rede axilar linfadenectomia e câncer de mama, com foco em mulheres com diagnóstico de câncer de mama que realizaram cirurgia com linfadenectomia como parte do tratamento. Dos 262 estudos encontrados, foram selecionados 4 artigos que utilizaram fisioterapia, os quais incluíram drenagem linfática, mobilização tecidual, alongamento e fortalecimento. Os quatro artigos selecionados tiveram desfechos similares: melhora da dor no membro superior e na função do ombro e/ou desaparecimento do cordão axilar. Embora a síndrome da rede axilar seja tão frequente e prejudicial quanto as outras morbidades após tratamento para o câncer, existem poucos estudos sobre esse tema. As publicações são ainda mais escassas quando se considera uma abordagem intervencionista. Estudos randomizados controlados são necessários para embasar as técnicas de reabilitação na síndrome da rede axilar após tratamento para o câncer de mama.

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OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate the association between axillary web syndrome and the development of lymphoedema after 10 years of follow-up. METHODOLOGY: A prospective observational study in a hospital cohort of women diagnosed with breast cancer and treated at a referral centre for cancer. Patients were followed according to the routine of the hospital's physical therapy service. In addition, a review of medical records was conducted for the period between 5 and 10 years of follow-up. Data on patient characteristics, treatment, tumour and postoperative complications were collected. RESULTS: In all, 964 patients were included, mostly <65 years old (75 %) and classified as being overweight (68 %). Disease was diagnosed as being up to stage IIA in 54.9 % of the cases; 65.1% underwent mastectomy and 83.8% had total axillary dissection. As adjuvant treatment, 61 % underwent chemotherapy, 63.5 % radiotherapy and 68 % hormone therapy. Among surgical complications, 62.6 % of patients had seroma, 40.7 % had necrosis, 35.9 % axillary web syndrome and 31.4 % lymphoedema. There was no association between axillary web syndrome and the development of lymphoedema (OR = 0.87, 95 % CI 0.65 to 1.15, p = 0.329). CONCLUSION: The occurrence of axillary web syndrome was not a risk factor for lymphoedema after 10 years of follow-up.

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Complicações no membro superior encontram-se entre as principais repercussões após a cirurgia do câncer de mama e remoção dos linfonodos axilares, sendo a Síndrome da Rede Axilar (SRA) uma condição comumente observada no pós-operatorio imediato, e que consiste no surgimento de um cordoamento tenso e doloroso, oriundo da região axilar, que gera restrição de movimento no braço homolateral à cirurgia, e é decorrente do processo de cicatrização, que por sua vez é fundamental para o sucesso da cirurgia. A SRA pode causar incapacidade funcional no membro superior, especialmente por estar associada à restrição da amplitude de movimento do ombro e à dor, sendo o comprometimento da função do ombro mais um fator limitante nas atividades da vida diária (AVDs), de higiene pessoal, e na sua autonomia, o que repercute também no estado emocional da mulher. Apesar de ser descrita como uma síndrome autolimitada, com remissão espontânea em até 3 meses de seu surgimento, estudos mostram que, em alguns casos, ela pode estender-se além desse prazo, ou mesmo sofrer recidiva e piorar a incapacidade. Um agravante é o fato de ser uma questão subvalorizada na prática clínica, e por não haver orientação formal às pacientes sobre o risco de surgimento da síndrome, o tratamento costuma ser realizado tardiamente, o que pode prolongar o comprometimento funcional. A intervenção fisioterapêutica tem sido utilizada no pré e pós-operatório das cirurgias de mama para evitar as limitações físico-funcionais decorrentes da cirurgia, porém, o seu uso na SRA não está bem consolidada na literatura, bem como as estratégias educacionais sobre a síndrome ainda não fazem parte da rotina das orientações fisioterapêuticas pós-operatórias, de forma que as pacientes desconhecem os sinais, sintomas e características da SRA. Desta forma, os objetivos do presente trabalho foram: caracterizar o perfil sóciodemográfico e de saúde das mulheres submetidas ao tratamento cirúrgico para câncer de mama em um Hospital Universitário; relatar o efeito da intervenção fisioterapêutica precoce póscirúrgica para câncer de mama devido à SRA a partir do estudo de caso; elaborar um Plano de cuidados fisioterapêuticos de rotina no referido hospital e elaborar material educacional em forma de cartilha informativa para as pacientes em pós-cirúrgico de câncer de mama

Among the main repercussions after surgery for breast cancer and removal of axillary lymph nodes are complications in the arm. The healing process is critical to the success of the surgery, but may result in Axillary Web Syndrome (AWS) a commonly observed condition in the immediate post-operative, and that is the emergence of a tense and painful stranding, arising from the axillary region, generating restriction of movement in the ipsilateral arm surgery. AWS can cause functional impairment in the upper limb, especially to be associated with the restriction of shoulder range of motion and pain, and impairment of shoulder function more a limiting factor in activities of daily living (ADLs), personal hygiene, and their autonomy, which also affects the emotional state of women. Despite being described as a self-limited syndrome with spontaneous remission within 3 months of its inception, studies show that in some cases it may extend beyond that period, or even suffer relapse and worsen disability. An aggravating factor is the fact that it is a matter undervalued in clinical practice, and there is no formal guidance to patients about the risk of developing the syndrome, treatment is usually performed later, which can prolong the functional impairment. The physical therapy intervention has been used before and after surgery of breast surgery to avoid the physical and functional limitations resulting from surgery, however, its use in AWS is not well established in the literature, as well as educational strategies on the syndrome yet not part of the routine of postoperative physical therapy guidelines, so that the patients are unaware of the signs, symptoms and characteristics of AWS. Thus, the objectives of this study were to characterize the socio-demographic and health profiles of women undergoing surgery for breast cancer in a university hospital; report the effect of postoperative early physical therapy intervention for breast cancer due to AWS; develop a routine physical therapy care plan in that hospital and prepare an information booklet to patients in post-surgical breast cancer

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O câncer de mama representa o segundo tipo mais freqüente no mundo e o que mais causa mortesentre as mulheres. O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar, por meio de prontuários fisioterapêuticos emédicos, o perfil das pacientes pós-cirurgia de câncer de mama com axillary web syndrome (AWS)do Hospital de Câncer de Pernambuco e da Faculdade Integrada do Recife (FIR). Das 112 pacientesavaliadas de abril a outubro de 2006, 7,1% apresentaram AWS. A maioria apresentou dore restrição de movimento, e 50% apresentaram linfedema. Metade realizou quadrantectomia e asdemais mastectomia, todas associadas ao esvaziamento axilar. Em 37,5%, a AWS se estendeu atéo antebraço. O tumor mais freqüente foi o carcinoma ductal invasivo e os estadiamentos I e IIapresentaram freqüência de 40%. Todas as pacientes realizaram quimioterapia e 80% realizaramradioterapia associada. Concluí-se, assim, que a AWS é significativa complicação pós-operatória eseus sintomas podem acarretar alterações na qualidade de vida.

Breast cancer represents the second most frequent type of cancer in the world and the one that most causesdeath among women. This study aimed at analyzing the profile of patients from the Cancer Hospital ofPernambuco and from FIR, after a breast cancer surgery with Axillary Web Syndrome (AWS), by meansof medical and physical therapeutic records. Within the 112 evaluated patients from April to Octoberof 2006, 7.1% presented AWS. The majority presented pain and restriction of movement, and 50%presented lymphedema. Half of the patients had a quadrantectomy done, while the remaining ones hada mastectomy, all of them associated with axillary dissection. In 37.5%, AWS reached the forearm. Themost frequent tumor was invasive ductal carcinoma and staging I and II presented frequency of 40%. Allpatients had chemotherapy done, and 80% of these had associated radiotherapy. Thus, it was concludedthat AWS is a significant post surgical complication, and its symptoms may lead to changes in the patient’slife quality.

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Estudo de caso de uma paciente no pós-operatório de mastectomia com linfadenectomia axilar que apresentou evolução com importante restrição de amplitude de movimento de flexão e abdução do ombro, acompanhada de dor e cordões fibrosos musculares, caso concordante com axillary web syndrome. Essa síndrome apresenta apenas dois relatos na literatura e esse artigo tem como objetivo relatar o caso obtido e discutir o diagnóstico diferencial do quadro.

This study presents the case of breast cancer woman with axillary dissection. After fourteen days postoperatively days a pain began in the member ipsilateral to the surgery that worsened with flexion and abduction of the shoulder and three cords were observed, like Axillary Web Syndrome. There are only two published cases in the literature and this article discuss this syndrome and its diferential movement diagnosis.

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