• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.301-303
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• 2010

Purpose: The axillary web syndrome (AWS) is a selflimiting cause of morbidity in the early postoperative period after axillary surgery. This article presents a rare complication developed after surgical treatment for axillary osmidrosis. Methods: A 55-year-old male patient underwent surgical excision of skin and glandular tissue for axillary osmidrosis. Three weeks after the surgery, he visited our department due to a visible web of left axillary skin overlying palpable cord extends into the medial ipsilateral arm. There was a taut and tender cord of tissue under the skin and shoulder abduction was limited to less than 90 degrees. He was diagnosed with AWS and treated with conservative management. Results: Four months later, AWS resolved completely without any treatment and patient was free of pain or motion restriction. Conculsion: Axillary web syndrome has been described as frequent complication after axillary lymph node dissection or sentinel node biopsy, but not after surgical treatment of axillary osmidrosis. Surgeons must be aware of the risk of axillary web syndrome after treatment of axillary osmidrosis.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.430-435
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• 2022

Objective: This study was conducted to investigate the effect of active movement with skin mobilization on range of motion, pain, and rating of perceived exertion in patients diagnosed with axillary web syndrome after axillary lymph node dissection. Design: A Case report Methods: It was performed on 7 patients diagnosed with axillary web syndrome after lymph node dissection. The subjects experienced a decrease in the range of joint motion and pain in movement when raising their arms in their daily lives, and complained of discomfort. The active range of motion, numeric rating scale, and modified Borg scale of shoulder joint flexion were measured, and the differences after active movement with skin mobilization were compared. Results: All subjects increased by 24.9 degree on average in active range of motion after active movement with skin mobilization intervention. There was no pain in the maximum range of joint motion measured before intervention, and rating of perceived exertion was significantly reduced. Conclusions: Active movement with skin mobilization can be a very useful way to help improve and treat axillary web syndrome, and it is recommended for improving the function and quality of life of axillary web syndrome patients. and It is also believed that it can be used steadily at home through the education of patients and families.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.112-115
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• 2021

Objective: This study was conducted to apply skin mobilization to patients with Axillary web syndrome following breast cancer resection and to see the resulting changes in pain and joint range of motion. Design: Single case study,pre-post comparison. Methods: The subject was a female patient in her 40s who performed a mastectomy after being diagnosed with breast cancer, and then complained of uncomfortable pain from the shoulder joint to the axilla and limited range of motion. To implement a skin mobilization, the palms were adhered to the inner half of the arm, the arms were raised to a pain-free extent, and skin mobilization was performed. The skin was pulled in the direction of axilla and kept for 5 seconds 10 times for a total of 2 sets. Immediate changes in range of motion and pain were identified. Results: Following skin mobilization, there was an immediate increase in range of motion (pre 116°, post 140°) and a decrease in pain (NRS pre 5, post 2). And also uncomfortable pain, which is hard to define in words, also seems to have improved. Conclusions: Skin mobilization, which considers skin mobility for patients with Axillary web syndrome, can be considered for improving range of motion and restoring function in patients with pain due to fibrous bands around veins and lymphatic vessels, and is recommended as a new intervention method not used as a conventional treatment.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.142-148
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• 2016

Purpose: The aim of this pilot study was to determine the effect of soft tissue technique (STT) in Axillary Web Syndrome (AWS) following sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy in breast cancer patients by examining the upper extremity function, range of motion, and pain. Methods: Nineteen patients with breast cancer-related AWS were evaluated. STT was performed on the symptom area for treatment of AWS symptoms. We evaluated AWS symptoms and pain intensity using a visual analogue scale (VAS), and functional disability using the Korean version of the Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) questionnaire, glenohumeral joint (GHJ) flexion and abduction range of motion (ROM) with or without elbow extension. Results: Visual analyses of the data suggest a modest effect of STT in improving GHJ flexion, abduction ROM with or without elbow extension, DASH for upper extremity function, and Pain. The statistically significant improvement in baseline observed for pain, DASH, and ROM data made it impossible to assess the effects of STT on those outcomes. There were no adverse events. Conclusions: STT may be an effective and safe treatment option for AWS patients recovering from breast cancer treatment; however, further research is needed.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.464-470
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• 2022

Objective: Axillary web syndrome (AWS) is a condition comprising fibrous band-like cords that appear in the axilla of patients after axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) during breast cancer surgery and result in pain and reduced mobility. The cords appearing with AWS are hardened veins or lymphatic vessels. Manual therapy and stretching are recommended for pain control and mobility improvement. Therefore, this study investigated the effect of cytoskeletal manual therapy (CMT), which is a new soft tissue mobilization technique. Design: A case report Methods: A 41-year-old woman with AWS after breast cancer surgery and ALND visited a physical therapy clinic because of shoulder pain, decreased function, and decreased mobility. The cords were palpable and pain occurred 2 weeks after surgery. CMT was performed three times per week for a total of 6 weeks. Her pain intensity, range of motion (ROM), and shoulder function were measured. Results: Measurements were performed after 2 weeks and 6 weeks of CMT and evaluated using the numeric pain rating scale (NPRS). Her pain intensity largely decreased after 2 weeks (4-point score reduction) and after 6 weeks (5-point score reduction) of CMT. After CMT, her full ROM was restored and her shoulder function was improved (7-point score reduction). Conclusions: CMT is effective for pain control, mobility improvement, and functional improvement of patients with AWS.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.19-28
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• 2021

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to apply manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) and high-frequency diathermy (HFD) to patients with axillary web syndrome (AWS), one of the side effects of breast cancer surgery, and to treat upper extremity pain, volume, function of the upper extremity, (joint range of motion; ROM, disabilities of the arm, shoulder and hand; DASH) and quality of life before and after treatment. It is to determine the effect of treatment by checking the level change. Methods : This study is a case series. A total of 5 patients diagnosed with AWS after breast cancer surgery voluntarily participated in this study. The intervention program consisted of stretching, MLD and HFD. It was conducted 3 times a week for 30 minutes for 4 weeks. In order to compare the effects of pain (numeric pain rating scale; NPRS), volume, upper limb function (ROM, DASH) and quality of life (the European organization for research and treatment of cancer quality of life questionnaire-breast, EORTC QLQ-BR23) evaluations were compared before and after 4 weeks of intervention. All measured variables were analyzed and expressed as mean, standard deviation and percentage. Results : The shoulder NPRS level of the subjects in all case groups decreased, the volume decreased and the shoulder flexion, abduction ROM increased. It showed improvement in DASH and quality of life, QLQ-BR23. Conclusion : After breast cancer surgery, we confirmed the possibility that MLD and HFD treatments could be effective in improving pain, decreasing volume, increasing upper extremity function, and quality of life for patients who have difficulties with AWS. The possibility has been confirmed, and additional research is needed by increasing the number of participants in the experiment in the future.