Predictive Factors Affecting the Efficacy of Local Tetracycline Injection for Treatment of Post-mastectomy Seroma.

In this study, 18 patients with established diagnosis of post-mastectomy seroma were included. All of them were females undergoing modified radical mastectomy where seroma appeared after drain removal.

The age, co-morbidities, total leukocytic count (as an indicator of infection), serum albumin and tumour size and pathology for all of them were recorded. Then we interfered with our tetracycline injection technique for the treatment of seroma.

All the patients were consented regarding this therapeutic technique explaining the expected possible occurrence of some pain during and after injection, other complications like wound infection or flap necrosis necessitating further intervention. Moreover, repetition of the technique may be needed

In our technique the following was adopted:

1. First, the seroma fluid was aspirated completely using a 20 cc syringe while the patient lying flat and the needle inserted in the most dependent area
2. Then, 10 cc of saline containing 2 gm of tetracycline mixed with 5 ml of 2% xylocaine (as a pain relieving agent) was injected at the seroma bed.
3. After completion of injection, a crepe bandage was applied over the mastectomy area (flaps covering the seroma bed)
4. Then after 5 days the patient were examined again for seroma re-collection or the presence of complications as infection or flap necrosis. If there were any re-collection, the tetracycline injection procedure would be repeated.

The amount of seroma aspirated in each session in addition to the complications if present were recorded.