Breast cancer is a major public health problem for women throughout the world. Surgery is the main stay of treatment for breast cancer. Seroma formation is seen in all cases post surgery. We conducted a Prospective randomized study of 120 breast carcinoma patients, to compare whether the axillary dissection techniques like electrocautery, cold knife & suture ligation and scissor technique has any impact  on seroma formation.

The study shows that mean seroma volume with respect to different techniques had significant statistical difference on day five & ten. The mean days of drain removal were 8.65 days for cautery group, 8.10 days for ligation group and 9.2 days for scissor group. There was increase in seroma volume seen with advanced stage (p =0.022). Seroma volume was slightly less in post chemotherapy cases. There was no significant difference observed in seroma volume with respect to nodal status. Seroma volume increased with increase in age.

Keywords: Axillary seroma, Cancer breast, prospective study, randomized study, breast cancer surgical techniques. Modified radical mastectomy. Breast conservation surgery.

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Dr Shikha Tiwari

Consultant, Department of Surgical Oncology, Bhagawan Mahaveer Cancer Hospital & Research Center, Jaipur, Rajasthan, INDIA