Karnataka PGET Surgery MCQ Answer 5

The correct answer is D

The traditional radical mastectomy (Haagenson, Stiles, and others) removes both pectoralis major and minor. Removing pectoralis major is mutilating, and has not been shown to produce any more survivors than operations which leave it, such as Patey's. In its original form Patey's operation removes pectoralis minor also. This is is easier than preserving it, because it allows you to remove all the tissues containing the lymph nodes in the axilla ''en bloc', up to the axillary vessels and the brachial plexus.

Its aim is to try to remove the breast, and with it the triangular mass of fibrofatty tissue and lymph nodes in the axilla which is bounded by serratus anterior medially, latissimus dorsi posteriorly and laterally, by coracobrachialis above, and by the axillary apex superomedially.

A cutaneous nerve, the intercostobrachial, crosses through the axillary fat from the chest wall medially (T2), to supply the skin of the axilla and upper arm. These nerves are sacrificed.

Category: Karnataka PGET 2007 MCQs