Surgical resection for persistent seroma, following modified radical mastectomy.
BACKGROUND
Seroma formation following modified radical mastectomy with axillary lymph node dissection for breast cancer is a most common wound complication. In our experience seroma occurs in approximately 50% of patients undergoing mastectomy. Postmastectomy seromas usually vanishes within a few weeks after operation.


METHODS
In this report we present the case of a 73 year old woman who had undergone mastectomy with axillary lymph node dissection for breast cancer, complicated by lymphorrhea and formation fibrous encapsulated seroma resistant to conservative treatment which required surgical resection.


CONCLUSIONS
We stand in opinion that in some cases of prolonged seromatous effusion with confirmed formation of thick walled reservoir the operation with resection and closure of supplying regional lymph vessels may be the best treatment, if possible preceded by arm lymphoscyntygraphy.
Stanczyk
Marek
M
Department of General, Vascular and Oncologic Surgery of Military Health Service Institute, Warsaw, Poland. ms@cmdik.pan.pl
Grala
Bartlomiej
B
Zwierowicz
Tomasz
T
Maruszynski
Marek
M
D000368:Aged; D001365:Axilla; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D004322:Drainage / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008197:Lymph Node Excision / Q000379:methods; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000473:pathology*; D015411:Mastectomy, Modified Radical / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D012086:Reoperation; D018570:Risk Assessment; D049291:Seroma / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013997:Time Factors