Effectiveness of fibrin glue in conjunction with collagen patches to reduce seroma formation after axillary lymphadenectomy for breast cancer

Background Axillary lymphadenectomy remains an integral part of breast cancer treatment, yet seroma formation occurs in 15% to 85% of cases. Among methods employed to reduce seroma magnitude and duration, fibrin glue has been proposed in numerous studies, with controversial results. Methods Fifty patients underwent quadrantectomy or mastectomy with level I/II axillary lymphadenectomy; a suction drain was fitted in all patients. Fibrin glue spray and a collagen patch were applied to the axillary fossa in 25 patients; the other 25 patients were treated conventionally. Results Suction drainage was removed between postoperative days 3 and 4. Seroma magnitude and duration were significantly reduced (P = .004 and .02, respectively) and there were fewer evacuative punctures in patients receiving fibrin glue and collagen patches compared with the conventional treatment group. Conclusions Use of fibrin glue with collagen patches does not always prevent seroma formation, but it does reduce seroma magnitude and duration, as well as necessary evacuative punctures.