The placement of a harpoon prior to surgery

Hospital Arnau Vilanova Valencia has developed a harness axillary that fewer seroma after

intervention. In addition, the center uses metallic markers to locate small tumors that favor a

faster recovery and enhances the autonomy of patients.

The system devised in the Arnau Vilanova favors a faster recovery and improves autonomy of

patients.
Functional Unit of Pathology Mammary Hospital Arnau Vilanova Valencia has developed a compression

system that axillary fewer seroma (accumulation of fluid in the armpit after a lymphadenectomy)

after surgery on the armpit in breast cancer.

The system, which has been devised by the physicians of this unit and designed by orthopedist

Amparo Sotos, is a kind of belt bandolera which has been incorporated into an elastic compression

that fits over the hollow axillary, which avoids postoperative complications arising from this

type of intervention and improving the autonomy of patients.

Through this system is achieved by reducing both the number of patients with seroma and punctures

for the evacuation of the seroma and reduces the increase in linfedemas, discomfort and control

posquirúrgico.

Another initiative that has carried out this unit to facilitate the recovery of patients with

breast cancer and improve their quality of life is the signing of an agreement with the

Rehabilitation Service for the last of each month to receive necessary guidance in the

rules of hygiene, gymnastics and general advice to be followed as part of the prevention of

lymphedema.

One of the problems that are facing professionals dedicated to this disease is the loss of

references for locating cancers minimal (less than one centimeter) and the loss of referrals from

the area where the tumor is located behind the implementation of schemes neoadjuvant

chemotherapy.

The placement of a harpoon prior to surgery facilitates intervention, as it geared towards the

point where the injury is not palpable or toward the marker has been placed before chemotherapy.