title: Quilting Sutures Reduces Seroma in Mastectomy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Drainage duration and seroma formation occurring after mastectomy with or without axillary surgery lengthens hospitalization and delays adjuvant treatment. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of quilting in the prevention of seroma after mastectomy for breast cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eighty-two breast cancer patients about to undergo mastectomy with or without axillary surgery lymphadenectomy were enrolled in the study. We conducted an observational comparison between 41 patients in whom quilting with closed suction drainage was used and 41 patients in whom drainage only was used.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean drained volume was significantly lower in the quilting group compared with the control group on days 1 and 2 (day 1: 107.1 mL vs. 156.5 mL; P = .02; day 2: 108.4 mL vs. 162.8 mL; P = .01). The mean drainage period was shorter in the quilting group (4.6 vs. 5.3 days; P = .046). There were fewer needle aspirations for seroma in the padding group (n = 14, 34.1% vs. n = 24, 58.5%; P = .03).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The use of padding after mastectomy seems to reduce seroma formation, volume drained, and length of drainage time.
authors: Gustave Roussy, Cancer Campus, Division of Breast and Plastic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Villejuif, France. Electronic address: chafika.mazouni@gustaveroussy.fr.
authors: Chafika
authors: C
authors: Mazouni
authors: Gustave Roussy, Cancer Campus, Division of Breast and Plastic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Villejuif, France.
authors: Chrystelle
authors: C
authors: Mesnard
authors: Gustave Roussy, Cancer Campus, Division of Breast and Plastic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Villejuif, France.
authors: Alexis-Simon
authors: AS
authors: Cloutier
authors: Gustave Roussy, Cancer Campus, Division of Breast and Plastic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Villejuif, France.
authors: Maria-Ida
authors: MI
authors: Amabile
authors: Gustave Roussy, Cancer Campus, Division of Breast and Plastic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Villejuif, France.
authors: Enrica
authors: E
authors: Bentivegna
authors: Gustave Roussy, Cancer Campus, Division of Breast and Plastic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Villejuif, France.
authors: Jean-Rémi
authors: JR
authors: Garbay
authors: Gustave Roussy, Cancer Campus, Division of Breast and Plastic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Villejuif, France.
authors: Benjamin
authors: B
authors: Sarfati
authors: Gustave Roussy, Cancer Campus, Division of Breast and Plastic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Villejuif, France.
authors: Nicolas
authors: N
authors: Leymarie
authors: Gustave Roussy, Cancer Campus, Division of Breast and Plastic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Villejuif, France.
authors: Frédéric
authors: F
authors: Kolb
authors: Gustave Roussy, Cancer Campus, Division of Breast and Plastic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Villejuif, France.
authors: Françoise
authors: F
authors: Rimareix
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008408:Mastectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control*; D049291:Seroma / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013536:Suture Techniques
keywords: Breast cancer; Drainage; Mastectomy; Padding; Quilting; Seroma