title: Seroma formation after axillary lymphadenectomy with and without the use of drains.
abstract: Seroma formation after axillary lymphadenectomy is common. We performed a randomised controlled trial comparing seroma rate and volume after axillary lymphadenectomy with and without use of drains. In this study, there was no difference in incidence of seroma formation between patients who did and did not have a drain inserted after axillary lymphadenectomy for breast cancer. Undrained patients, however, had larger volume seromas of longer duration which required more aspirations. There was a tendency for undrained patients to have fewer complications when compared to patients with drains.
authors.affiliation: Breast/Endocrine Unit, St. George Hospital, UK. ps88n@lycos.com
authors.forename: P S H
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Soon
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Clark
authors.forename: C J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Magarey
mesh_terms: D001365:Axilla; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D004322:Drainage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008197:Lymph Node Excision / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D049291:Seroma / Q000209:etiology*