Post mastectomy complications

Abstract

Breast cancer is the main cause of death that affects women worldwide . The National Cancer Institute estimates that 12.7% of women born today will be diagnosed with breast cancer during the course of their lifetime (Ries et al.,2006).The operative treatmen t of breast cancer is a major component of surgical practice for centuries(Curr.,2003). Wound complications following mastectomy are estimated to be between 18-30% (Garwood et a/.,2009).

Although , mortality rate after mastectomy is low , the post mastectomy complications are still troublesome .

Seroma fom1ation is the most common complica tion of a modified radical mastectomy for breast cancer ( Matsui et al., 2007). Recen t studies suggest that seroma fluid is an elemen t of acute inflammatory response (Pagson et al., 2003).0ld opinions . suggest that seroma is formed of lymph which is associated with operations where large areas of l ymph bearing tissues are transected (Velanovich., 200l).Others suggest that it is lymph with fibrinolytic activity and very low fibrinogen level (Me Caul et al., 2000) .Seroma can cause persistent pain, wound dehiscence,

implant extrusion and secondary infection . (William ., 2003) .