An Evaluation of Safety and Patient Outcomes for Hand Surgery following Prior Breast Cancer Treatment: Establishing New Recommendations in Lymphedema

Based on the available evidence, there is no increased risk of complications for elective hand surgery in patients with prior breast cancer treatment. Breast cancer patients with preexisting ipsilateral lymphedema carry slightly increased risk of postoperative infection and worsening lymphedema. It is the authors' opinion and recommendation that elective hand surgery with a tourniquet is not a contradiction in patients who have received previous breast cancer treatments.