Is there a role for homeopathy in breast cancer surgery? A first randomized clinical trial on treatment withArnica montanato reduce post-operative seroma and bleeding in patients undergoing total mastectomy.
OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to evaluate the benefits ofArnica montanaon post-operative blood loss and seroma production in women undergoing unilateral total mastectomy by administeringArnica Montana1000 Korsakovian dilution (1000 K).


METHODS
From 2012 to 2014, 53 women were randomly assigned toA. montanaor placebo and were followed up for 5 days. The main end point was the reduction in blood and serum volumes collected in drainages. Secondary end points were duration of drainage, a self-evaluation of pain, and the presence of bruising or hematomas.


RESULTS
The per-protocol analysis revealed a lower mean volume of blood and serum collected in drainages withA. montana(-94.40 ml; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 22.48-211.28;P= 0.11). A regression model including treatment, volume collected in the drainage on the day of surgery, and patient weight showed a statistically significant difference in favor ofA. montana(-106.28 ml; 95% CI: 9.45-203.11;P= 0.03). Volumes collected on the day of surgery and the following days were significantly lower withA. montanaat days 2 (P= 0.033) and 3 (P= 0.0223). Secondary end points have not revealed significant differences.


CONCLUSIONS
A. montana1000 K could reduce post-operative blood and seroma collection in women undergoing unilateral total mastectomy. Larger studies are needed with different dilutions ofA. montanato further validate these data.
Surgery Division, ASST Fatebenefratelli Sacco, Luigi Sacco Hospital, Milan, Italy; Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences "Luigi Sacco", University of Milan, Milan, Italy.
Luca
L
Sorrentino
Surgery Division, ASST Fatebenefratelli Sacco, Luigi Sacco Hospital, Milan, Italy; Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences "Luigi Sacco", University of Milan, Milan, Italy.
Salvatore
S
Piraneo
Surgery Division, ASST Fatebenefratelli Sacco, Luigi Sacco Hospital, Milan, Italy; Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences "Luigi Sacco", University of Milan, Milan, Italy.
Eliana
E
Riggio
Surgery Division, Niguarda Ca' Granda Hospital, Milan, Italy.
Silvia
S
Basilicò
Surgery Division, ASST Fatebenefratelli Sacco, Luigi Sacco Hospital, Milan, Italy; Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences "Luigi Sacco", University of Milan, Milan, Italy.
Alessandra
A
Sartani
Department of Surgery, Breast Unit, IRCCS S. Maugeri Foundation Hospital, Pavia, Italy.
Daniela
D
Bossi
Surgery Division, ASST Fatebenefratelli Sacco, Luigi Sacco Hospital, Milan, Italy; Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences "Luigi Sacco", University of Milan, Milan, Italy; Department of Surgery, Breast Unit, IRCCS S. Maugeri Foundation Hospital, Pavia, Italy.
Fabio
F
Corsi
Arnica montana; breast cancer; homeopathy; mastectomy; seroma