Armrest versus vacuum bag immobilization in the treatment of breast cancer by radiation therapy: a randomized comparison

Thirty patients in randomized sequence were simulated in both an arm-rest and a vacuum bag immobilization device and also randomized to treatment in one of the two devices. Overall patient comfort significantly favoured the use of the arm-rest, although both were acceptable. Lung exposed in the tangential beams was less in the vacuum bag device. Supraclavicular skin folding was greater in the vacuum bag, but this is probably related to the angle of arm abduction. Treatment times and stability of the setups were not significantly different. This is a small study piloting a technical comparison and the findings require confirmation in a larger sample.