title: Does the use of fibrin glue prevent seroma formation after axillary lymphadenectomy for breast cancer? A prospective randomized trial in 159 patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Seroma formation frequently occurs in patients who have undergone axillary lymphadenectomy. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of fibrin glue in the prevention of seroma formation after axillary lymphadenectomy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Hundred fifty-nine breast cancer patients about to undergo quadrantectomy or mastectomy plus axillary lymphadenectomy were enrolled in the study and randomized into two groups. Fibrin glue spray applied to the axillary fossa plus placement of closed suction drainage were used in 80 patients (group A); placement of closed suction drainage was only used in 79 patients (group B).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Group A patients showed a slight advantage with regard to the mean duration of axillary drainage placement (4.5 +/- 1.3 days in group A vs. 5.1 +/- 1.6 days in group B) and number of seroma aspirations (6.3 +/- 1.1 in group A vs. 6.7 +/- 1.2 in group B). No statistically significant differences were observed between the two groups of patients regarding the mean volume of total axillary drainage and of total seroma volume.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The use of fibrin glue does not prevent seroma formation and does not reduce seroma magnitude and duration. The costs of the product involved do not justify its routine use in patients undergoing axillary dissection.
authors.affiliation: Division of General and Oncological Surgery, Department of Oncology, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy. calogerocipolla@virgilio.it
authors.forename: Calogero
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cipolla
authors.forename: Salvatore
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Fricano
authors.forename: Salvatore
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Vieni
authors.forename: Giuseppa
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Graceffa
authors.forename: Gaspare
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Licari
authors.forename: Adriana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Torcivia
authors.forename: Mario A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Latteri
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001365:Axilla; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D015718:Fibrin Tissue Adhesive / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008197:Lymph Node Excision / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008408:Mastectomy; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control; D011446:Prospective Studies; D049291:Seroma / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013396:Suction; D014014:Tissue Adhesives / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D015718:Fibrin Tissue Adhesive; D014014:Tissue Adhesives