Can Gentamicin-collagen Sponges Prevent Seroma Formation Following Mastectomy?

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BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate whether gentamicin-collagen (GC) sponges can lower the incidence of seroma and surgical site infections following breast cancer surgery. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was performed. Two consecutive cohorts of patients who underwent a mastectomy with or without an axillary lymph node dissection were compared. The first cohort was treated conventionally (n = 38), the second cohort received GC sponges (n = 39). Endpoints were the incidence of clinical significant seroma (CSS) and surgical site infections (SSI), the mean number of aspirations, and the mean aspirated volume. RESULTS: GC sponges lowered the CSS incidence from 73.7% to 38.5% (P = .002). The mean number of aspirations and the mean aspirated volume were not affected. SSI incidence was 15.8% in the conventional cohort compared with 7.7% in the GC cohort (P = .23). CONCLUSION: Application of GC sponges significantly lowered the incidence of CSS. The incidence of SSI was halved, although this was not significant.