This study aimed to determine the effects of demographic, clinical, and therapeutic variables in development of
seromas. The relation between development of
seromas and age, preference for surgery,
tumor size, existence of axillary lymph nodes and lymph nodal
metastases, number of lymph nodes removed, type of
surgical equipments used, drainage duration, drainage flow rate, and whether or not
neoadjuvant chemotherapy was received; dead volume was reduced; or pressure garment was used in patients who received surgery due to
breast cancer between 2000 and 2005 years. Mean age of 119 patients included in the study was 53.13+/-13.26 (range 26-79).
Seromas were observed in 17 (14.28%) patients. In multivariate logistic regression analysis an association of postoperative
seroma formation was noted with a drainage flow rate greater than 50 mL/day after 48th hours following breast surgery (p=0.007), while other variables investigated herein are not associated with development of
seromas. We conclude that a drainage flow rate greater than 50 mL/day after 48th hours is a predicting factor for
seroma formation in
breast cancer patients. Thus, we do not recommend terminating the drainage before flow rate at 48 hours is seen and daily drainage is lower than acceptable limit.