A novel treatment for postoperative mondor's disease: manual axial distraction

Breast J. 2009 Jul-Aug;15(4):381-4. doi: 10.1111/j.1524-4741.2009.00741.x.

Abstract

Mondor's disease is an uncommon complication of breast and axillary surgery. Although self-limiting, the subcutaneous cords may be both painful and functionally limiting for the patient. Numerous pharmacologic approaches have been tried, but without widespread success, and we wished to evaluate the non-invasive technique of manual axial distraction in such patients. Thirty consecutive patients with axillary Mondor's disease following surgery were treated solely with this technique by the senior author (RJS) over a 24-month period. Mean age was 45 years (range 32-72) with 27 having undergone formal axillary dissection and three sentinel node biopsy. 25 (83.3%) were successfully treated with a single procedure, three (10%) with two and two (6.7%) with three procedures. we present the initial results of the novel technique of manual axial distraction that has been found to be efficacious and without adverse effect. It provides a rapid and definitive cure in postoperative Mondor's disease.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Erythema / etiology*
  • Erythema / therapy
  • Female
  • Fibrosis / etiology*
  • Fibrosis / therapy
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Postoperative Complications / therapy*
  • Pressure
  • Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy / adverse effects*
  • Thrombophlebitis / etiology*
  • Thrombophlebitis / therapy*