Effects of Local Anti-inflammatory Drugs on Seroma Formation after Mastectomy and Axillary Lymph Node Dissection in the Rat Model

Purpose: The aim of this study was to examine the protective effects of nonsteroid anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and steroids on seroma formation after mastectomy and axillary lymph node dissection in rats. Methods: Mastectomy and axillary lymph node dissection were applied to the rats. Thirty rats enrolled in the study were randomly divided into three groups of 10 each. Group I patients received physiological serum, whereas groups II and III received 30 mgr/kg methylprednisolone sodium succinate and 0.2 mgr/kg meloxicam, respectively. All groups received the local drug applications into the potential space beneath axillary and pectoral flap before skin and subcutaneous tissue were closed. After 7th day of mastectomy, the seroma volumes were measured in groups and the rats were sacrificed. Results: The seroma amount showed significant increase (p<0.05) in group 1 when compared to group 2 and 3. However no significant differences were observed between group 2 and group 3. The postoperative infection rate was 40 percent in group 2. Conclusion: It was concluded that methylprednisolone sodium succinate and meloxicam were effective on the seroma formed after radical mastectomy and axillary dissection. However, due to the high risk of wound infection of methyl prednisolone sodium succinate, this should not been preferred.