Diagnosis and Treatment of Axillary Web Syndrome: An Overview
SUMMARY: Axillary web syndrome (AWS) is a self-limiting disease that can occur as an early or possibly late postoperative complication post-axillary surgery. This syndrome is characterized by the spread of the cords of subcutaneous tissue extending from the axilla into the arm and is clinically asso...
| Main Authors: | , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
KeAi Communications Co. Ltd.
2020-06-01
|
| Series: | Chinese Journal of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2096691121000236 |
| _version_ | 1828266510120910848 |
|---|---|
| author | Elan YANG Xiongwei LI Xiao LONG |
| author_facet | Elan YANG Xiongwei LI Xiao LONG |
| author_sort | Elan YANG |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | SUMMARY: Axillary web syndrome (AWS) is a self-limiting disease that can occur as an early or possibly late postoperative complication post-axillary surgery. This syndrome is characterized by the spread of the cords of subcutaneous tissue extending from the axilla into the arm and is clinically associated with pain and limited movement of the shoulder in the affected limb. Although its pathophysiology is not well established, the most common cause is surgery-related axillary lymphatic injury. Both the echography and magnetic resonance imaging results support the lymphatic hypothesis. The diagnosis of AWS is based on physical examination. Risk factors may include extensiveness of surgery, younger age, hypertension, lower body mass index, ethnicity, and healing complications. Effective clinical intervention shortens the natural course of AWS and improves the quality of life of patients with AWS. Treatments may include physical therapy, drug therapy, manual drainage, instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM), thoracic manipulation and stretching, manual axial distraction, percutaneous needle cord disruption with fat grafting and Xiaflex injection, and surgical intervention. Routine surgical treatment for AWS may not be recommended. Further research is needed to provide more comprehensive improvements in the diagnosis and treatment of AWS. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-13T04:54:23Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-75b22d2c51774f808c53760f5c981d41 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2096-6911 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-13T04:54:23Z |
| publishDate | 2020-06-01 |
| publisher | KeAi Communications Co. Ltd. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Chinese Journal of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery |
| spelling | doaj.art-75b22d2c51774f808c53760f5c981d412022-12-22T03:01:34ZengKeAi Communications Co. Ltd.Chinese Journal of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery2096-69112020-06-0122128136Diagnosis and Treatment of Axillary Web Syndrome: An OverviewElan YANG0Xiongwei LI1Xiao LONG2Department of Plastic Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100730, ChinaDepartment of Plastic Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100730, ChinaDepartment of Plastic Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100730, China; Address for correspondence: Dr. Xiao LONG, Department of Plastic Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, No. 1 Shuaifuyuan, Wangfujing, Dongcheng District, Beijing 100730, ChinaSUMMARY: Axillary web syndrome (AWS) is a self-limiting disease that can occur as an early or possibly late postoperative complication post-axillary surgery. This syndrome is characterized by the spread of the cords of subcutaneous tissue extending from the axilla into the arm and is clinically associated with pain and limited movement of the shoulder in the affected limb. Although its pathophysiology is not well established, the most common cause is surgery-related axillary lymphatic injury. Both the echography and magnetic resonance imaging results support the lymphatic hypothesis. The diagnosis of AWS is based on physical examination. Risk factors may include extensiveness of surgery, younger age, hypertension, lower body mass index, ethnicity, and healing complications. Effective clinical intervention shortens the natural course of AWS and improves the quality of life of patients with AWS. Treatments may include physical therapy, drug therapy, manual drainage, instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM), thoracic manipulation and stretching, manual axial distraction, percutaneous needle cord disruption with fat grafting and Xiaflex injection, and surgical intervention. Routine surgical treatment for AWS may not be recommended. Further research is needed to provide more comprehensive improvements in the diagnosis and treatment of AWS.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2096691121000236Axillary web syndromeBreast cancerAxillary lymph node dissectionSentinel lymph node biopsy |
| spellingShingle | Elan YANG Xiongwei LI Xiao LONG Diagnosis and Treatment of Axillary Web Syndrome: An Overview Chinese Journal of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Axillary web syndrome Breast cancer Axillary lymph node dissection Sentinel lymph node biopsy |
| title | Diagnosis and Treatment of Axillary Web Syndrome: An Overview |
| title_full | Diagnosis and Treatment of Axillary Web Syndrome: An Overview |
| title_fullStr | Diagnosis and Treatment of Axillary Web Syndrome: An Overview |
| title_full_unstemmed | Diagnosis and Treatment of Axillary Web Syndrome: An Overview |
| title_short | Diagnosis and Treatment of Axillary Web Syndrome: An Overview |
| title_sort | diagnosis and treatment of axillary web syndrome an overview |
| topic | Axillary web syndrome Breast cancer Axillary lymph node dissection Sentinel lymph node biopsy |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2096691121000236 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT elanyang diagnosisandtreatmentofaxillarywebsyndromeanoverview AT xiongweili diagnosisandtreatmentofaxillarywebsyndromeanoverview AT xiaolong diagnosisandtreatmentofaxillarywebsyndromeanoverview |