Effect of intraoperative wound irrigation with topical phenytoin on postoperative seroma formation after modified radical mastectomy

Abstract

Background: Modified radical mastectomy (MRM), as a surgical treatment in breast cancer patients, may lead to important complications with significant morbidities including seroma formation. Objective: This study aimed to determine the effect of wound irrigation with topical phenytoin on postoperative seroma formation after modified radical mastectomy.
Patients and methods: This is a double-blinded randomized clinical trial study, which was carried out in Zagazig University Hospital during a period of 6 months. It included 60 patients who were candidates for modified radical mastectomy (MRM). All patients were subjected to demographic data taking, clinical and chemical examination, clinical evaluation, radiological evaluation, Lab. Investigations.
Results: Average daily breast drainage (in milliliters) of drains according to their location and day of evaluation: Group A (Phenytoin) in day 5 drained a mean of 24.62 with SD of 32.79, in day 7 mean of drainage was 28.89 and SD was 18.33, in days 8 to 10 mean of drainage was 32 and SD was 10.95, and in days 11 to 13 mean of drainage was 15 and SD was 7.07. Group B (Control): day 5 group drained a mean of 35.88 with SD of 12.93, in day 7 mean of drainage was 28.18 and SD was 12.68, in days 8 to 10 mean of drainage was 21.43 and SD was 11.07, in days 11 to 13 only one patient in control group had breast drain after 11th postoperative day drainage was 50 and in days 14 to 16 drainage was 20. Conclusion: Topical irrigation of the surgery site with phenytoin was effective in reducing axillary surgical wound drainage.