Study of the Effect of Local Methylprednisolone in Patients of Mastectomy on Seroma Formation

Seroma formation after modified radical mastectomy (MRM) is the most common problem faced after surgery.It increases the length of hospital stay and morbidity.The pathophysiology of seroma formation is still under study; however, acute inflammatory secretions and increased lymph pooling due to axillary lymph node dissection are the two main theories accepted.This forms the basis of this clinical trial for the use of methylprednisolone as an anti-inflammatory drug.Seventy breast cancer patients were divided randomly into cases (35) and controls (35).Total seroma volume in cases and controls was 335.4 ± 85.04 mL and 458.7 ± 78.6 mL, respectively; the difference was significant (p = 0.0218).The duration of seroma in cases was 7.6 ± 1.08 days, while in controls it was 8.8 ± 1.01 days; the difference was insignificant (p = 0.089).Local instillation of 80 mg methylprednisolone during MRM reduces the total seroma volume but has no effect on the duration of seroma.No increase in complications was observed due to its use.