Minimize the extent and morbidity of axillary dissection for node-positive breast cancer patients: implementation of axillary lymph node dissection based on breast lymphatics level

Table 2 Number of nodes obtained, blue-stained bALNs, and positive nodes for each breast lymphatics level

Breast lymphatics level^a	No. of nodes obtained^b	No. of blue-stained bALNs	No. positive nodes
Level I	5.0 (3–8)	3.5 (3–5)	3.0 (0–8)
Level II	6.5 (4–8)	5.5 (3–7)	1.0 (0–8)
Level III	5.5 (4–8)	5.0 (2–7)	0.8 (0–8)
Level IV	3.0 (2–5)	2.0 (1–3)	0.3 (0–2)
Total	19.5 (13–30)	16.5 (9–20)	5.1 (0–20)

^aMedian breast lymphatics level was four, level V and level VI were not listed
^bNo. of nodes obtained: blue-stained axillary lymph nodes from the breast (bALNs) plus non-stained bALNs, mean (mix- max)

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