title: Surgical resection for persistent seroma, following modified radical mastectomy.
abstract: 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.
authors: Department of General, Vascular and Oncologic Surgery of Military Health Service Institute, Warsaw, Poland. ms@cmdik.pan.pl
authors: Marek
authors: M
authors: Stanczyk
authors: Bartlomiej
authors: B
authors: Grala
authors: Tomasz
authors: T
authors: Zwierowicz
authors: Marek
authors: M
authors: Maruszynski
mesh_terms: 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