Analysis of infections occurring in breast cancer patients after breast conserving surgery using mesh.
OBJECTIVE
Breast conserving surgery using mesh can effectively fill the defective space, but there is the risk of infection.


METHODS
From June 2007 to August 2010, 243 patients who underwent breast conserving surgery with polyglactin 910 mesh insert for breast cancer at our institution were retrospectively studied.


RESULTS
Infection occurred in 25 (10.3%) of 243 patients. When comparing the infection and non-infection groups in multivariate analysis, there was no significant difference in age, underlying disease, preoperative biopsy methods, mass location, axillary lymph node dissection, operative methods, neoadjuvant or adjuvant chemotherapy use, mass size and removed breast volume. The infection appeared more common only in patients with body mass index (BMI) greater than 25. Infection symptoms occurred, on average, 119.5 days after surgery, and the average duration of the required treatment was 34.4 days. Out of 25 patients with postoperative infection complications, 16 (64%) patients underwent incision and drainage with mesh removal, whereas the remaining 9 (36%) only required conservative treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
During breast conserving surgery, the risk of infection is increased in patients with high BMI, and should be taken into account when considering insertion of a polyglactin 910 mesh. Patient's age, underlying disease and perioperative treatment methods were not significant risk factors for developing mesh infection. Given that most infections seem to develop symptoms one month after surgery, a long enough observation period should be initiated. Early detection and appropriate conservative treatments may effectively address infections, thus reducing the need for more invasive therapies.
Department of Surgery, Chonnam National University Hospital, Gwangju, Korea.
Jin Seong
JS
Cho
Sun Hyoung
SH
Shin
Ji Young
JY
Park
Young Ju
YJ
Song
Jeong Min
JM
Yi
Min Ho
MH
Park
Jung Han
JH
Yoon
Young Jong
YJ
Jegal
Ji Sin
JS
Yi
Seong Ja
SJ
An
Hwo Soon
HS
Lim