![]() | Only 14 pages are availabe for public view |
Abstract Breast cancer is the most common female cancer and the most common cause of cancer death among women. The surgical treatment for these patients includes either modified radical mastectomy or conservative breast surgery upon stage of the disease. Seroma formation is also the most common and frequent complication after modified radical mastectomy operation. A seroma is a collection of serous fluid that accumulates in dead space and presents as a fluctuant swelling beneath a wound. And it is commonly managed by repeated aspiration and medical treatment. Seromas predispose patients to wound infection, prolonged wound healing, delayed initiation of adjuvant therapy and increased treatment costs, as well as increased stress. The mechanism underlying seroma formation remains controversial. Although it has been demonstrated that a seroma is an acute inflammatory exudate in response to the surgical trauma. Further studies are needed to gain a better understanding of the pathophysiology of seroma as some studies had shown characteristics of lymph and others had shown characteristics of inflammatory exudates. The surgical technique of axillary space obliteration by suturing the anterior and lateral portion of superior mastectomy skin flap down to the free edge of pectoralis major and the lateral chest wall was done to completely obliterate the axillary fossa and is used to decrease seroma formation following modified radical mastectomy operation. Although this technique is not commonly performed, it is interesting to note that this technique actually reduces seroma formation following mastectomy but it needs to be applied over a large number of patients to reach concusive decision. Application of drains and there removal after daily drainage volume is 30 to 50 cc plays an important role in decreasing the incidence of seroma formation. |