Based on the findings of direct upper lymphography performed before and during the operation, the degree of radicality of the Patey surgery and radical mastectomy after the Holstead technic was studied in breast cancer patients. It has been shown that in technical respect the Patey operation is inferior in radicality to radical mastectomy and should be performed only on strict indications. It is believed that, it is not yet the time to use the Patey surgery in wide practice instead of radical mastectomy, since even the latter sometimes fails to provide the removal of all regional lymph nodes.