Axillary node dissection was performed in 212 patients with malignant melanoma. For 212 initial dissections plus 49 repeat procedures (261 operations), wound infection occurred in 25 (10%) and arm edema in 10 (4%), with other complications being infrequent. The arm edema resolved promptly and completely six (2%) patients after elevation of the arm, while four (2%) patients have had permanent, moderate edema. The estimated 5-year survival rate for patients with clinically and histologically negative nodes was 74%. Among those with histologically positive nodes, when the nodes were not palpable, this rate was 73%; when the nodes were palpable and less than 2 cm in diameter, it was 46%; when they were palpable and 2 to 4 cm in diameter, it was 22%; when the nodes were larger than 4 cm in diameter, it was 18%; and when the nodes were fixed, it was 13%. The 5-year survival rate for 17 patients with positive nodes above the level of the axillary vein was 18%; 1 of 6 patients with resection of the axillary vein due to involvement is disease-free 57 months later. In patients who developed recurrence, further resection when feasible resulted in 13% of these patients being disease-free 5 years after the original axillary dissection.