A PROSPECTIVE STUDY OF POST MASTECTOMY SKIN FLAP ANCHORING AND SEROMA MONITORING

Abstract

Background: Breast cancer is the leading cancer which aficts females globally. In order to decrease the incidence of post-operative complications, skin ap anchoring has been proposed by different authorities. The present study was conducted to assess and compare the outcomes of skin ap anchoring with standard wound closure techniques in the reduction of seroma formation in cases operated for invasive breast cancer. Materials & Methods: This prospective observational study (duration: from Feb 2021 to July 2022) conducted on 50 invasive breast cancer patients in the department of surgery in our institute. Informed consent was taken and then, patients were divided in two groups of 25 patients each. Group Aunderwent MRM with skin apanchoringand group Bunderwent MRM with standard closure ofthe skin apsat the surgical wound edges. The patients were followed up for post-operative complications. The results were then analyzed.Results: In the present study, the mean age of patients in group A and group B were 53.24 ± 7.45 years and 52.04 ± 6.83 years, respectively (non-signicant; p-value 0.556). The mean drain volume in group A and group B were 61.96±16.38 mL and 83.17±15.67 mL, respectively. (Signicant; p-value <0.001). The mean duration of surgery was 2.06 ± 0.17 hours in group A, while in the group B, it was 2.18 ± 0.32 hours (non-signicant; p-value 0.104). The mean duration of use of tube drainage was 4.24 ± 0.44 days in groupA, while in the group B, it was 6.4 ± 1.08 days (Signicant; p-value <0.001). In group A, the mean length of hospital stay was 4.24 ± 0.44days, while in thegroupB, it was 6.4 ± 1.08days (Signicant;p-value <0.001).IngroupA, the mean seromaaspiration volume was 1.4 ± 3.96 mL, while in the group B, it was 3.4 ± 5.72 mL (non-signicant; p-value 0.158). Surgical site infection was present in 4%patientsofgroup A, and 8% patients of group B ( non-signicant;p value 0.552). Flapnecrosis was presentin 4 %patients in both the groups (non-signicant; p-value 1.00). Conclusion: While modied radical mastectomy with skin ap anchoring was found to better while considering drain volume, duration of use of tube drainage, and length of hospital stay. The modied radical mastectomy with skin ap anchoring was comparable to MRM with standard closure of the skin aps in terms of duration of surgery, seromaaspirationvolume, andpost-operativecomplications (surgical siteinfectionandapnecrosis)