Fig. 3

Procedures of axillary lymph node dissection based on breast lymphatics level. a Identify the SLNs with MB. b Meticulously inject 0.1–0.2 ml MB to all the SLNs. c SLNs were removed and sent for pathological examination by frozen section. d If SLN contained macrometastasis, the blue-stained bALNs in BLL II were resected and examined; e If the blue-stained bALNs in BLL II were confirmed negative, the tissues in BLL II were resected ‘en bloc’. f If the blue-stained bALNs in BLL II confirmed positive, the blue-stained bALNs in BLL III were resected and examined. SLN: sentinel lymph node; MB: methylene blue; bALNs: axillary lymph node from the breast. BLL: breast lymphatics level