COMPARATIVE STUDY OF SEROMA FORMATION IN HARMONIC SCALPEL VERSUS ELECTROCAUTERY IN POST MODIFIED RADICAL MASTECTOMY

Objective: To compare the frequency of seroma formation in harmonic scalpel vsunipolar electrocautery in post modified radical mastectomy (MRM). Study Design: Quasi experimental study. Place and Duration of Study: General Surgery Department, Pak Emirates Military Hospital Rawalpindi, from Jul to Dec 2017. Methodology: Eighty women with breast carcinoma planned for modified radical mastectomy were included in the study with inclusion and exclusion criteria and divided in equal group A (Harmonic) and group B (Unipolar cautery). Randomization was performed by lottery method for both groups. A standard level III clearance was performed. All patients were followed up on weekly basis and seroma formation was evaluated in both groups. Results: Mean age in group A and B was 51.36 ± 11.04 years vs 52 ± 11.19 years (p>0.05). Mean duration of complain in group A and B was 1.675 ± 0.47 months vs 1.775 ± 0.42 (p>0.05). Mean time of procedure in group A and B was 110.00 ± 4.71 mins vs 100.875 ± 5.14 (p>0.05). Mean body mass index in group A and B was 30.217 ± 4.99 kg/m2 vs 30.210 ± 5.31 kg/m2 (p>0.05). Seroma formation in group A and group B patients were found to be 5 (12.5%) vs 10 (25%) with (p>0.05). Conclusion: Frequency of seroma formation in harmonic scalpel is lower than electrocautery in post modified radical mastectomy, so it can be safely performed along with harmonic scalpel with reduced duration of drainage and seroma formation.