Potential Risk Factors Influencing the Formation of Postoperative Seroma After Breast Surgery - A Prospective Study

BACKGROUND/AIM: This trial intended to identify patient- and therapy-specific risk factors influencing the genesis of seroma and the extent of its formation.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: Within a prospective randomized controlled trial, 70 patients (n=35 TissuGlu®; n=35 drain) underwent a mastectomy with or without sentinel lymphonodectomy. Specific seroma-associated risk factors were recorded. Regular outpatient aftercare was performed during a 90-day postoperative follow-up.

RESULTS: A statistically significant increase in the postoperative seroma rate was demonstrated for those with pre-adiposity compared to normal body weight (p=0.016), as well as for the state of health evaluated by the score of American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) (ASA III compared to I; p=0.046), the presence of diabetes mellitus (p<0.001) and the reduction of the length of the surgical procedure (p=0.044).

CONCLUSION: A high body mass index, a poor state of health (ASA score), and diabetes mellitus, as well as a shorter duration of surgery, favor the incidence of postoperative seroma.