{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,8,23]],"date-time":"2026-08-23T14:54:52Z","timestamp":1787496892517,"version":"build-2736575974"},"reference-count":30,"publisher":"Oxford University Press (OUP)","issue":"6","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2012,4,16]],"date-time":"2012-04-16T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1334534400000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/academic.oup.com\/journals\/pages\/open_access\/funder_policies\/chorus\/standard_publication_model"}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":[],"published-print":{"date-parts":[[2012,4,27]]},"abstract":"<jats:title>Abstract<\/jats:title>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Background<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>Classical anatomical descriptions fail to describe variants often observed in the axilla as they are based on studies that looked at individual structures in isolation or textbooks of cadaveric dissections. The presence of variant anatomy heightens the risk of iatrogenic injury. The aim of this study was to document the nature and frequency of these anatomical variations based on in vivo peroperative surgical observations.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Methods<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>Detailed anatomical relationships were documented prospectively during consecutive axillary dissections. Relationships between the thoracodorsal pedicle, course of the lateral thoracic vein, presence of latissimus dorsi muscle slips, variations in axillary and angular vein anatomy, and origins and branching of the intercostobrachial nerve were recorded.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Results<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>Among a total of 73 axillary dissections, 43 (59 per cent) revealed at least one anatomical variant. Most notable variants included aberrant courses of the thoracodorsal nerve in ten patients (14 per cent)\u2014three variants; lateral thoracic vein in 12 patients (16 per cent)\u2014four variants; bifid axillary veins in ten patients (14 per cent); latissimus dorsi muscle slips in four patients (5 per cent); and variants in intercostobrachial nerve origins and branching in 26 patients (36 per cent). The angular vein, a subscapular vein tributary, was found to be a constant axillary structure.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Conclusion<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>Variations in axillary anatomical structures are common. Poor understanding of these variants can affect the adequacy of oncological clearance, lead to vascular injury, compromise planned microvascular procedures and result in chronic pain or numbness from nerve injury. Surgeons should be aware of the common anatomical variants to facilitate efficient and safe axillary surgery.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>","DOI":"10.1002\/bjs.8737","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2012,4,16]],"date-time":"2012-04-16T05:52:56Z","timestamp":1334555576000},"page":"871-877","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":40,"title":["<i>In vivo<\/i>\n                    study of the surgical anatomy of the axilla"],"prefix":"10.1093","volume":"99","author":[{"given":"A","family":"Khan","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Academic Surgery (Breast Unit), Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, Fulham Road, London SW3 6JJ, UK"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"A","family":"Chakravorty","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Academic Surgery (Breast Unit), Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, Fulham Road, London SW3 6JJ, UK"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"G P H","family":"Gui","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Academic Surgery (Breast Unit), Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, Fulham Road, London SW3 6JJ, UK"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"286","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2012,4,16]]},"reference":[{"key":"2021031605233853600_bib1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"141","DOI":"10.1002\/1096-9098(200102)76:2<141::AID-JSO1026>3.0.CO;2-Q","article-title":"Simple technique of early identification of the thoracodorsal nerve during axillary dissection","volume":"76","author":"Khatri","year":"2001","journal-title":"J Surg Oncol"},{"key":"2021031605233853600_bib2","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"396","DOI":"10.1111\/j.1445-2197.1993.tb00408.x","article-title":"Angular vein of the axilla and the anatomy of the subscapular vein important in axillary node dissection","volume":"63","author":"O'Rourke","year":"1993","journal-title":"Aust N Z J Surg"},{"key":"2021031605233853600_bib3","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"948","DOI":"10.1002\/bjs.4147","article-title":"Spatial relations of the angular vein, an important landmark in axillary nodal dissection","volume":"90","author":"Chan","year":"2003","journal-title":"Br J Surg"},{"key":"2021031605233853600_bib4","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"220","DOI":"10.1111\/j.1524-4741.2007.00409.x","article-title":"Surgical approach to the angular vein of the axilla: an \u2018inverted\u2019 technique of axillary dissection","volume":"13","author":"Tan","year":"2007","journal-title":"Breast J"},{"key":"2021031605233853600_bib5","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"524","DOI":"10.1111\/j.1742-1241.2000.tb10916.x","article-title":"Axillary arch and its implications in axillary dissection\u2013review","volume":"54","author":"Babu","year":"2000","journal-title":"Int J Clin Pract"},{"key":"2021031605233853600_bib6","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"473","DOI":"10.1016\/j.aanat.2006.11.011","article-title":"Axillary arch in human: common morphology and variety. 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