Objective：To study the method and significance of preserving anterior thoracic nerve (ATN) and intercostobrachial nerve (ICBN) during breast-conserving operation for breast cancer.
Methods：A total of 382 cases with breast-conserving operation for breast cancer in recent 5 years were reviewed. In 312 cases the opeeration was performed by preserving ATN and ICBN, and in 70 cases the ATN and ICBN were not preserved. The patients were followed-up postoperatively.
Results：Among the patients whose operation was performed by preserving ATN and ICBN, skin sensation of armpit and upper arm was normal in 80.4％(251/312)  and abnormal in 19.6％ (61/312) of patients, but in most of them, it recovered in 2-3 months. Among the patients with out preservation of ATN and ICBN, skin sensation was normal in only 16 cases(22.9％), and had varying degrees of abnormal sensation in 54 cases(77.1％).
Conclusions：Preservation of ATN and ICBN during breast-conserving surgery for breast cancer is feasible, can decrease the incidence of hypoesthesia of axilla and upper arm and atrophy of pectoralis muscles, and the quality of life of patients after operation is improved.