Mastectomy

Question 1

What are the S&S of Cancer?

Answer 1

Lump or thickening of the breast
Change in colour of areola
Discharge or bleeding
CHange in CONTOUR or size of breasts
Redness or putting of breast

Question 2

What is a lumpectomy?

Answer 2

When a tumor or small amount of surrounding tissue is removed so several lymph nodes are removed

Question 3

What is a simple mastectomy?

Answer 3

The surgical removal of the entire breast
Lymphatic system and pectoralis muscle are preserved reduces reccurance of disease

Question 4

What is a modified radical mastectomy?

Answer 4

Where the entire breast and the axillary lymph nodes are removed and pectoralis muscle is intact and reduces cosmetic deformity and muscle weakness

Question 5

What is a radical masectomy?

Answer 5

The breast,pectoralis muscle and ipsilateral axillary lymph nodes and some fatty tissue is removed

Question 6

What is the result of a radical mastectomy?

Answer 6

Lymph odema
And upper limb weakness

Question 7

What are the post-operative problems?

Answer 7

Insicional pain-loss of ROM and postural deformity
Posterior cx and shoulder pain-Pain and muscle spasm occurs in neck and shoulder
Lymph odema-extra vascular and extracellular fluids leads to increased size and stiffness
Rom and function of limbs decrease
Weakness of horizontal adductors
Also in serrated Ant. Muscle
Chest wall adhesions

Question 8

What are the general pt aims?

Answer 8

Prevent post op pulmonary complications
Prevent post op swelling
Decrease lymph odema
Prevent postural deformities
Maintain ROM of involved limb

Question 9

What is the pre op plan of treatment?

Answer 9

Deep breathing exercises
Effective coughing
Proper bed position(position shoulders and trunk)

Question 10

What is the post-op plan when in bed rest or sitting in chair?

Answer 10

Elevate involved limb
Pumping exercises of arm
Isometric exercises of shoulder on day 1
Early ROM exercises of elbow and hand
Active Rom Of Cx and gentle massage of neck
When drainage tube’s are removed then active assisted and active exercises of shoulder daily and pendulum exercises
Isotonic exercises on shoulder 1 week post op

Question 11

What are the post op precautions?

Answer 11

Active assisted exercises and active exercises on affected shoulder only when drainage tube’s are removed
Shoulder abduction must be delayed until sutures are removed
Avoid positioning arm in any gravity dependent position for long periods

Question 12

What are the possible complications of a mastectomy?

Answer 12

Wound infection
Hematoma
Seroma
Lymph odema
Phantom breast pain
Loss of sensation in upper arm