Seroma after laparoscopic repair of hernia with PTFE patch: is it really a complication?

We evaluated the true incidence of seroma formation after laparoscopic repair of incisional hernia with polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) patch. In a prospective study, 20 patients who underwent laparoscopic repair of incisional hernia with PTFE were evaluated clinically and with ultrasound examination for seroma formation up to the 90th postoperative day. Seroma was diagnosed clinically in only 35% of cases, while ultrasound examination revealed the presence of seroma in 100% of patients. Ultrasound examination is a reliable tool for diagnosis of early or delayed postoperative seroma formation following laparoscopic repair of incisional hernia with Gore-Tex Dualmesh. Electronic Publication     

A Case of Late Unilateral Hematoma and Subsequent Late Seroma of the Breast After Bilateral Breast Augmentation

Background  A previously unreported case of unilateral recurrent late collections, namely, a hematoma and a subsequent seroma, in an otherwise healthy female patient after breast augmentation is presented. Methods  A case is reported together with a review of the world literature published and presented regarding late postoperative breast augmentation complications. Results  The patient was a 49-year-old woman who underwent bilateral breast augmentation in 2006. Spontaneous swelling of the left breast developed 1 year postoperatively. The patient was taken to the operating theater, where a large hematoma was found and drained and the prosthesis reinserted. No cause for the complication was identified at the operation. The patient’s symptoms of left-sided breast swelling with discomfort recurred 9 months later. A large seroma was found at surgery but no blood staining. On both occasions, the implant was extracted and examined, with no fault discovered. Capsulectomy was performed, and the pocket was examined, debrided, and cauterized as necessary. On neither occasion was any remarkable pathology found clinically or in laboratory samples sent for analysis. The patient was investigated for any sensitivities or hematologic abnormalities, with no significant results. Conclusion  A previously unreported case of recurrent late postaugmentation collections, namely, a seroma and a subsequent hematoma, in an otherwise well female patient is reported. The authors found no obvious reason for the recurrence in this patient.     

Sclerotherapy for the treatment of postmastectomy seroma

BACKGROUND: Seroma is a common complication after mastectomy. We review our experience with sclerotherapy for postmastectomy seroma management. METHODS: Patients who underwent outpatient sclerotherapy for postmastectomy seroma were reviewed. Ninety-five percent ethyl alcohol or povidone iodine, which was administered by way of percutaneous catheter, was the initial sclerosant, and dwell time was 20 to 30 minutes. Povidone iodine solution was instilled 2 to 3 times daily. Catheters were removed when output reached <30 mL/d or when cavity size was <20 ml by sinogram. RESULTS: Sixteen patients (18 seromas) had sclerotherapy initiated at median of 34 days after surgery. Mean number of treatment days was 3 (median duration 16). Seven patients (44%) developed infection during treatment, which was associated with increased duration. Three seromas recurred and were successfully treated with single aspiration. COMMENTS: Sclerotherapy is a feasible treatment for chronic seroma after mastectomy. Longer treatment duration was associated with infection; antibiotic prophylaxis should be considered. Research is necessary to determine optimal regimens and superiority over other approaches.     

Evaluation of axillary lymphadenectomy without axillary drainage for patients undergoing breast-conserving therapy

Background: The routine use of drainage after axillary node dissection in patients undergoing breast-conserving therapy (BCT) is being questioned. To determine the value of routine drainage, we evaluated the postoperative course of patients with primary breast carcinoma who underwent axillary dissection with or without axillary drainage. Methods: A retrospective review of 69 patients prompted a prospective randomized trial of 46 patients undergoing BCT at our tertiary cancer center. Variables studied were age, treatment (drain or no drain), number and tumor status of excised lymph nodes, size of primary tumor, duration of drainage or aspiration, number and volume of aspirations, number of office visits, incidence of complications and degree of pain, change in arm or forearm circumference, and body mass index (BMI). Data from prospective and retrospective studies were pooled for analysis. Results: Of 115 patients, 72 were treated with a drain (Drain group) and 43 were not (No-drain group). Overall there was no difference in the number or tumor status of excised nodes, the size of the primary tumor, or the incidence of complications between the two groups. Aspiration was required in 50% of the No-drain patients and 8.3% of the Drain patients. The incidence of drain placement or replacement postoperatively was 9.3% for the No-drain patients and 4.2% for the Drain patients. The No-drain patients had more office visits (5.1±0.4 vs. 3.6±0.1;P=.0002) and a longer interval between operation and last aspiration or drain removal (16.2±1.4 days vs. 11.3±0.6 days;P=.0040). Findings were similar in the subgroup of 46 prospectively studied patients, who included 24 Drain patients and 22 No-drain patients. In this group, pain evaluation using a scale of 0 to 10 showed a mean rating of 4.2±2.6 in Drain patients and 2.7±0.4 in No-drain patients (P=.0062). Conclusions: Axillary node dissection can be managed with or without a drain. More office visits but less pain can be expected if a drain is not used.Presented at the 50th Annual Cancer Symposium of The Society of Surgical Oncology, Chicago, IL, March 20–23, 1997.The views expressed herein are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the United States Army, United States Navy, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, or the Department of Defense.     

星状神经节阻滞防治乳腺癌改良根治术后皮下积液

目的 评价星状神经节阻滞防治乳腺癌改良根治术后皮下积液的效果.方法 对76例乳腺癌改良根治术患者进行局部加压包扎,并且加用星状神经节阻滞治疗,治疗10 d后进行评价.结果 10例患者出现皮下积液,发生率13.2%,治愈66例,好转10例,元皮瓣坏死发生.结论 星状神经节阻滞联合疗法在防治皮下积液及皮瓣坏死方面效果突出,能够促进乳腺癌改良根治术后患者皮下积液得以尽早治愈.     

乳腺癌改良根治术后皮下积液产生的高危因素及预防措施

目的探讨乳腺癌改良根治术后皮下积液产生的高危因素及预防措施。方法回顾性分析395例乳腺癌改良根治术患者的临床资料,分为传统手术组237例及改进手术组158例。统计分析传统手术组中患者临床因素与皮下积液的关系,确定术后积液的高危因素;对比2组患者术后积液发生率,分析改进手术方法在预防皮下积液中的作用。结果 2组积液发生率(41.77%vs 8.86%)差异具有统计学意义(P<0.01)。对传统手术组行统计分析发现,皮下积液发生率在腋窝淋巴结阳性者与腋窝淋巴结阴性者(48.85%vs 22.22%)、体重指数(body mass index,BMI)≥25与BMI<25者(53.85%vs 35.85%)、合并糖尿病与无病者(56.10%vs 38.78%)之间差异明显(P<0.05)。结论腋窝淋巴结阳性、BMI≥25及合并糖尿病为术后皮下积液产生的高危因素;改进手术方式可以明显减少积液的发生。