Regional Nodal Irradiation Impact on Lymphedema, Surgical Outcomes and Quality-of-Life Following Mastectomy, Axillary Dissection and Immediate Lymphatic Reconstruction

Key Points

• This research examines the effects of regional nodal irradiation on lymphedema and surgical outcomes in patients undergoing lymphatic reconstruction following mastectomy.
• Retrospective analysis of patient outcomes
• Comparison of lymphedema rates and surgical morbidity
• Assessment of patient-reported quality-of-life outcomes
• No increase in lymphedema rates among patients receiving regional nodal irradiation
• Surgical morbidity remained stable irrespective of the intervention
• Patient-reported outcomes were not adversely affected by regional nodal irradiation