title: Argon beam coagulation as an adjunct in breast-conserving surgery.
abstract: The development of a haematoma after wide excision of breast tumours is not uncommon. Suction drainage is commonly used to prevent this but often increases the hospital stay and can create unsightly wounds. Argon beam coagulation is a new technique which permits large 'raw' areas to be coagulated with minimal tissue damage. We believe that this technique may reduce the development of haematomas and seromas after breast surgery. We present our initial results using argon beam coagulation after wide excision of breast tumours in 80 patients without suction drainage. One patient required a single aspiration of a seroma at the site of breast lump excision and none required surgical drainage. Argon beam coagulation appears a useful adjunct in breast surgery and may help reduce hospital stay.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Burton Hospitals NHS Trust, Burton-on-Trent.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ridings
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bailey
authors.forename: T E
authors.initials: TE
authors.lastname: Bucknall
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001128:Argon; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D004564:Electrocoagulation / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006406:Hematoma / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D006488:Hemostasis, Surgical / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008197:Lymph Node Excision; D015412:Mastectomy, Segmental / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008875:Middle Aged; D019106:Postoperative Hemorrhage / Q000517:prevention & control*
chemical_list: D001128:Argon