FREQUENCY AND RISK FACTORS OF SEROMA FORMATION AFTER BREAST CONSERVATION SURGERY IN A HIGH VOLUME CENTER

Abstract

Objective: To determine the frequency of seroma formation after breast conservation surgery in a high volume center and to determine the association of risk factors of seroma formation after breast conservation surgery in a high volume center

Study Design: Cross sectional study

Study place and period: Department of Surgery, Shaukat Khanum Memorial Hospital, Lahore from 01 October 2024 till 31 March 2025

Methodology: After meeting the selection criteria and taken approval from ethical review board total 100 patients were enrolled. Seroma was studied, characterized as an evident accumulation of fluid in axilla or under skin flaps. These were further separated into two groups and risk factors were evaluated in both groups. Data was analyzed in SPSS v.23.0. Odds ratio was calculated to measure association of seroma formation with risk factors with OR>1 as significant.

Results: In this study the mean age & BMI of the patients was 42.47 ± 9.78 years & 27.75 ± 5.06 kg/m² respectively. Seroma occurred in 33% of patients. Most were >40 years (61%) and had tumors <5 cm (53%). Age >40 years (44.3% vs 15.4%, p=0.003; OR=4.37) and tumor size >5 cm (47.2% vs 17.0%, p=0.001; OR=4.35) were significantly associated with seroma formation.

Conclusion: The frequency of seroma formation is high after breast-conserving surgery in a high-volume center. Although the sanitization and pre- and post-surgical care meets all standards.