Last updated: 02/17/2009

Although the specific surgical procedure may differ according to which lymph nodes are to be removed, some steps are common among all lymphadenectomies. General anesthesia is usually administered for the duration of surgery; this ensures that the patient...

remain unconscious and relaxed, and awaken with no memory of the procedure.

First, an incision is made into the skin and through the subcutaneous layers in the area where the lymph nodes are to be removed. The lymph nodes are identified and isolated. They are then carefully taken out from surrounding tissues (that is, muscles, blood vessels, and nerves). In the case of axillary node dissection, the pad of fat under the skin of the armpit is removed; generally, about 10 to 20 lymph nodes are embedded in the fat and separately removed. The incision is sutured (stitched) closed with a drain left in place to remove excess fluid from the surgical site.

Alternatively, laparoscopy may be used as a less invasive method of removing lymph nodes. The laparoscope is a thin, lighted tube that is inserted into the abdominal cavity through a small incision. Images taken by the laparoscope may be seen on a video monitor connected to the scope. Certain lymph nodes, such as the pelvic and aortic lymph nodes, may be removed using this technology.