Prevention of Axiliary Seroma by Closure of Axillary Dead Space after Modified Radical Mastectomy-A Prospective Randomized T rial

Background: Seroma is the most common early postoperative complication following surgery for breast cancer. The principles of seroma treatment are essentially focused on prevention. We conducted a study to determine incidence of seroma after closure of axillary dead space following modified radical mastectomy. Patients and Methods: This was a prospective randomized trial of patients who underwent modified radical mastectomy for breast cancer. These patients were randomized into two groups using computer generated randomization tables. One group was randomized to have systematic closure of axillary dead space and constituted the study arm while the other group did not have closure of dead space and constituted the control arm. The outcomes measured were incidence of axillary seroma formation in both the groups and associated postoperative morbidity. Statistical analysis was done by using SPSS Version 11.0 and Chi-square test was applied to determine significance. Results: A total of 80 patients who underwent modified radical mastectomy were studied with a mean age of 51.43 years (SD=9.83). These were randomized equally to the two groups. Incidence of seroma in the patients in study arm 27% (11) and 3o% (12) in the control arm that was not statistically significant (P>0.05). Conclusion: After modified radical mastectomy, closure of axillary dead space did not show any significant benefit in the incidence of seroma formation.