Lymph-node biopsy during simple mastectomy.

The distribution of pectoral (external mammary) nodes identified during the operation and removed with the axillary tail of the breast was studied in 45 patients treated by simple (total) mastectomy. Up to 13 nodes may lie within the axillary tail, and these are continuous with the pectoral nodes. Lymph-nodes were identified in 90 percent of patients treated by simple (total) mastectomy without dissection of the axilla.