Last updated: 02/17/2009

Directly following surgery, the patient will be taken to the recovery room for constant monitoring and to recover from the effects of anesthesia. The patient may then be transferred to a regular room. If axillary nodes have been removed, the...

patient's arm will be elevated to help prevent postsurgical swelling. Likewise, the legs will be elevated if an inguinal lymphadenectomy had been performed. A drain placed during surgery to remove excess fluids from the surgical site will remain until the amount of fluid collected in the drain decreases significantly. The patient will generally remain in the hospital for one day.

Specific steps should be taken to minimize the risk of developing lymphedema, a condition in which excess fluid is not properly drained from body tissues, resulting in swelling. This swelling can sometimes become severe enough to interfere with daily activity. Common sites where lymphedema can develop are the arm or leg. Prior to being discharged, the patient will receive the following instructions for care of areas of the body that may be affected by lymph node removal:

• All cuts to the area should be properly cleaned, treated with an antibiotic ointment, and covered with a bandage.
• Heavy lifting should be avoided; bags should be carried on the unaffected arm.
• Tight jewelry and clothing with tight elastic bands should be avoided.
• Injections, blood draws, and blood pressure measurements should be done on the unaffected arm.
• Sunblock should be worn on the affected area to minimize the risk of sunburn.
• Steps should be taken to avoid cuts to the skin. For example, an electric razor should be used to shave the affected area; protective gloves should be worn when working with abrasive items.