Prevention of Post-Mastectomy Seroma in Breast Cancer Patients: .

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of fibrin glue versus quilting in preventing post-mastectomy seroma formation in breast cancer patients.

METHODS

This study was a prospective, randomised interventional trial conducted between July 2021 and June 2022 at Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto, Nigeria. It involving patients with breast cancer undergoing modified radical mastectomy. Patients were randomly assigned to Group A (fibrin glue) or Group B (quilting). The level of statistical significance was set at < 0.05, corresponding to a 95% confidence interval.

RESULTS

A total of 42 patients were recruited for the study. The total volume of drainage for Group A was lower, and there was a statistically significant difference ( = 0.00) between the two groups. Similarly, the evaluation of the length of hospital stay and duration of drainage revealed a shorter period for Group A, with a statistically significant difference ( = 0.00) between the two groups. However, a comparison of seroma formation and post-mastectomy wound infection between the two groups revealed no statistically significant differences ( = 1.00).

CONCLUSIONS

This study has demonstrated that there was no statistically significant difference in the effectiveness of fibrin glue compared to quilting in preventing post-mastectomy seroma in breast cancer patients. However, the fibrin glue group exhibited a lower volume of drainage, shorter duration of drainage and reduced length of hospital stay.