Purposes: The aim of this study was to assess the importance of making the
lateral part of transverse skin incision for mastectomy; vertical along the anterior
axillary fold; for decreasing post mastectomy seroma in cancer breast.
Background: Seroma after Mastectomy represents annoying problem for
the surgeon & the patient; it may delay adjuvant therapy, also is associated with
prolonged recovery period and multiple physician visits; moreover it may lead to
significant morbidity. Despite there are many methods for dealing with this
seroma; it remains in question.
Patients and methods: The study included 100 female patients; 11(11%)
<40 years old, 66 (66%) between 40-50 years old and 23 (23%) above 50 years
old. All patients underwent clinical evaluation, laboratory assessment, U/S & Soft
tissue mammography examination and tissue biopsy. All patients undergoing
modified radical mastectomy during which the cases were divided into two groups
(group A) with transverse skin incision crossing the anterior axillary fold & (group
B) with modification of transverse skin incision (making its lateral part; vertical
along the anterior axillary fold. Postoperative follow up was during 1st 4 months.
Results: Decreased seroma formation in (group B) with transverse skin
incision with vertical lateral part along the anterior axillary fold to a great extent (P
value <0.01)
Conclusions: Transverse skin incision with vertical lateral part along the
anterior axillary fold combat seroma formation and so this modification; not only it
decreases morbidity and recovery period but also; it allows early adjuvant therapy.
Key words: Cancer breast, Mastectomy, Seroma, morbidity. |
