Functional Alteration in Women Undergoing Breast Surgery With Total Axillary Linfadenectomy

Abstract

The aim of this study was to quantitatively identify physical and functional changes resulting from the surgical procedure of axillary dissection (DA) in women with the diagnosis of breast cancer. Study participants were 28 women who underwent DA. Range of motion (ROROM), articulation of shoulders, upper limbs perimetry, lung function test (PF) and respiratory muscles strength (MRS) in preoperative period (PRE), immediate postoperative period (POI) and late period (POTOT) were measured. Posture Review was held in preoperative and POTOT. There was decrease of shoulder ROROM for flexion and abduction in the operated side when comparing with PRE figures with POI (p<0.001, for both movements) and POTOT (p<0.001, for both movements). The non-operated side showed a significant difference for lower flexion and abduction between PRE and POI, (p=0.003 and p=0.001 respectively), returning to baseline in POTOT. There was change in perimetry only in the operated side in 15cm above the elbow, when comparing PRE (30.8±3.27) with POI (31.4±3.66) and remaining in POTOT (31.2±3.17). The PF and MRS only statistically differ between PRE and POI (FVC p<0.001, FEV1 p=0.006, MIP p<0.001, MEP p=0.013). There was no significant change in posture during the studied period. Patients who have breast cancer and undergo DA as a form of treatment have functional changes, especially during POI , in which the knowledge of health professionals is essential to minimize these changes and recover from them.