Anatomical variants of the intercostobrachial nerve encountered during axillary dissection

Abstract

Recent reports have described attempts at preserving the intercostobrachial nerve in patients undergoing axillary clearance for breast cancer. However, the anatomy of the nerve encountered by the surgeon operating in the axilla has not been previously described in any detail. In this study, we were able to document the anatomy of this nerve in 45 out of 50 consecutive patients undergoing axillary clearance. We found the anatomy variable, but have illustrated six main variants. In addition, we were able to preserve the nerve in 40 out of 50 cases.