A Comparative Study of 2 Radivac Drain Placement Methods for Prevention of Complications after Modified Radical Mastectomy

Abstract

Background: Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women. Modified radical mastectomy (MRM) is standard operation for treatment of breast cancer. Two most early frequent complications from MRM are seroma formation and surgical site infection. Suction drainage was used in nearly all hospital that performed MRM operation, with vary methods for type and duration of drainage removal due to unknown of the best method to prevent seroma formation.

Objective: To find out the incidence of seroma formation and surgical site infection after MRM in Udon Thani cancer hospital by compared 2 methods.

Method: Retrospective review medical records of breast cancer patients who had been operated by modified radical mastectomy in Udon Thani cancer hospital since August 1st, 2014 to October 31st, 2018. All data were collected and statistical analysis was performed to define the difference between 2 drainage methods in term of seroma formation and surgical site infection.

Results: 303 patients record were reviewed. 150 patients in standard group and 153 patients in study group. Seroma formation of study groups with the incidence of 13.73% less than standard group incidence of 29.33%. Surgical site infection and Seroma with surgical site infection was found only in study group with incidence of 5.23% and 2.61% respectively. But due to the relatively low incidence and both groups have different in preoperative antibiotic and postoperative antibiotic, therefore, it is not possible to conclude that study group has incidence of surgical site infection higher more than standard group.

Conclusion: This study can be applied in the hospital that has problem of overcrowded inpatient and to decrease expenses on breast cancer patients treated with MRM by early discharged often 48-72 hour postoperation with drains in place without effecting the incidence of seroma formation