Sensory Changes, Surgical Treatment of Breast and Intercostobrachial Nerve Cancer: Literature Review

Abstract

The surgical treatment for breast cancer can cause several complications, including intercostobrachial nerve (NICB) injury. The objective of this study was to conduct a systematic review of frequence, clinical features and risk factors associated to sensory changes and their relantionship with NICB injury. The research was done through Pub Med, Lilacs and Scielo databases. This review covers the analysis of seven studies, in which Jadad scale as well as Oxman and Guyatt criteria were applied; however there was no intention of excluding articles. It was difficult to read the results, once the NICB injury occurrence was not described in most of the studies. NICB injury is part of post mastectomy pain syndrome that is classified as a pain typically placed on axilla, medial portion of the arm and/or front and surgery-ipsilateral part of the chest. This injury was also related to sensory change and its preservation can reduce pain symptoms as well as alterations in superficial sensitivity.