Objective To study the effects of partial axillary lymph node dissection (PALD) on prognosis and upper limb function in patients with breast cancer. Methods Ninety-eight breast cancer patients with stage Ⅰ and Ⅱ were randomly divided into two groups and different surgical procedures following modified mastectomy were performed: partial axillary lymph node (level Ⅰ and Ⅱ) dissection (PALD) group (n=48) and total axillary lymph node (levelⅠ, Ⅱ and Ⅲ) dissection (TALD) group (n=50). The longterm positive relapse rate and upper limb function between 2 groups were compared. Results During the follow-up of 5 to 10 years (average 4.5 years), there were 2 cases (4.2%) of local recurrence on chest wall and one case (2.1%) of recurrence in axillary lymph node and one case (2.1%) of recurrence in supraclavicular lymph node in PALD group, and 2 cases (4.0%) of local recurrence on chest wall and no axillary lymph node recurrence and one case (2.0%) of recurrence in supraclavicular lymph node happened in TALD group. There was no statistical difference between PALD group and TALD group (Pgt;0.05). The incidence of upper limb edema and dysfunction was 4.2% (2/48) in PALD group and 16.0%(8/50) in TALD group (P＜0.01). There was no significant statistical difference of 5year and 10year survival rate between PALD group and TALD group (89.6% vs. 88.0%， 79.2% vs. 78.0%，Pgt;0.05). Conclusion PALD may reduce upper limb dysfunction after operation in patients with stage Ⅰ and Ⅱ breast cancer, and does not increase prognostic risk.