The results of operations for the cure of cancer of the breast performed at the Johns Hopkins hospital from June 1889 to January 1894

This paper describes 50 patients undergoing a Halsted radical mastectomy and at the time of publication the author reported only three local recurrences. Halsted describes his method of mastectomy widely excising skin, subcutaneous fat and the pectoralis major muscle. The pectoralis minor muscle was divided and all the lymphatics and vessels below the subclavian vein to the apex of the axilla were removed including division of the subscapular vessel. The wound was then primarily closed without drains.