Objective：To study the clinical value of preservation of intercostobrachial nerve (ICBN)  during modified radical mastectomy.
Methods：From January 2005 to January 2009, 372 cases of modified radical mastectomy were performed in our hospital, among them,  ICBN was preserved in 93 cases (preserve group), and not preserved ICBN in 279 cases (resected group) All of the patients were followed-up  for a year.
Results：At 1,3 and 12 months after surgery, the incidence of  ipsilateral medial upper arm and axillary paresthesias in ICBN preserve group was significantly lower than that in the resection group, and the difference was significant (P＜0.05); at 3, 6, 12 months after surgery local axillary recurrence rate in the two groups showed no significant difference (P＞0.05).
Conclusions：Preservation of ICBN in  modified radical mastectomy has the advantage of decrease in ipsilaleral arm and armpit paresthesia with improvement in quality of life after surgery, and does not affect surgical outcome. It is worthy of widespread clinical  application.