[Wadding of the axilla in the conservative treatment of cancer of the breast. Prevention of lymphocele].

A randomized prospective study was carried out on 53 consecutive female breast cancer cases hospitalized at the Centre René Gauducheau, In Nantes (France), with the intent of investigating whether surgical wadding of the axillary fossa with the use of proximate muscular tissue can prevent lymphocele from occurring, and avoid placement of suction drains usually required in conservative management of breast cancer. Results have been significant regarding the incidence of lymphocele (p less than 0.001), as well as the mean puncture volume and the total number of punctures needed (p less than 0.001), thus reflecting the efficacy of a simple method, which yields satisfactory cosmetic results. Failures with this method were related to the technical procedure per se, and not to its principle. The lapse of time required before additional treatment was initiated as subject to a factor not related to the method, but depended upon the recovery of normal shoulder mobilization.

RCT Entities:   Population Interventions Outcomes