329P - Quality-Of-Life After Breast Surgery in Patients with Breast Cancer Who Underwent Axillary Lymph Node Dissection Using Harmonic Dissection Devices

Abstract

ABSTRACT Aim: Axillary node dissection (ALND) is still required in patients with breast cancer (BC), but unfortunately it can cause some complications, such as increased amount of drainage and seroma formation, which subsequently worsen their quality-of-life (QoL). The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the use of a harmonic dissection device (HDD), which reduces the risk of complications, can improve the short-term postoperative QoL of patients who underwent breast surgery. Methods: Sixty-eight women (median age 60, range 34-67 years) undergoing curative surgery for primary pT1-2 BC were enrolled in the study. The patients were randomly divided into two groups according to whether or not a HDD was used (Group 1, N = 32; Group 2, N = 36, respectively). Health-related QoL was measured with the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form (MOS-SF-36). Parameter G1 mean G1 SD G2 mean G2 SD P Age (years) 59.4 11.4 58.0 9.7 0.58 BMI (kg/m2) 23.7 1.8 24.4 2.5 0.19 Drainage output (mL) 402.6 73.3 456.9 59.1 0.0013 No. of the removed nodes 19.8 2.5 20.5 3.2 0.32 N0/N1 23/9 - 27/9 - 0.76 Seroma/No seroma 5/27 - 11/25 - 0.14 Physical function 61.2 22.7 55.4 21.3 0.28 Role physical 67.2 32.7 61.5 23.1 0.96 Bodily pain 60.8 29.9 59.2 29.2 0.82 General health 47.6 25.5 46.3 23.6 0.83 Vitality 48.6 21.8 47.1 22.3 0.78 Social function 69.7 22.1 57.4 22.2 0.025 Role emotional 66.9 24.5 53.3 23.4 0.022 Mental health 56.3 22.5 55.5 21.6 0.8 Tumor size (mm) 19.2 6.9 20.7 6.3 0.35 Quadrantectomy/mastectomy 23/9 - 25/11 - 0.76 Results: Age, body mass index (BMI), tumor stage, number of the removed nodes, type of surgery did not differ (p = NS) between groups. The total output of drainage was significantly reduced in Group 1, and also the formation of seromas was reduced in number. The results of the MOS-S-36 are shown in the Table. Conclusions: In patients undergoing ALND for BC the use of a HDD reduces some postoperative complications, such as output of drainage and seroma formation. However, these benefits have a limited impact on QoL of patients, since a few parameters of the MOS-SF-36 form improve significantly. Disclosure: All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.