Early Physiotherapy Does Not Influence Seroma Formation among Patients Undergoing Breast Surgery- A Prospective Randomized Study

Early Physiotherapy Does Not Influence Seroma Formation

Abstract

Background: Seroma formation is a common side-effect rather than a complication among breast cancer patients undergoing mastectomy and axillary dissection. Early physiotherapy among such patients is hypothesized to decrease the risk of seroma formation. The objective of the study was to assess the impact of early physiotherapy on seroma formation, shoulder disability/mobility and functional capacity, pain, post-operative drain removal, and lymphedema. Subjects and Methods: A total of 103 patients were enrolled in the prospective randomized study. All patients were admitted at HCG Manavata Cancer Centre, Nashik, India. The study involved 41 patients who had undergone breast conservative surgery and 62 patients who had undergone modified radical mastectomy. Patients were randomly assigned to ‘early physiotherapy’ or ‘delayed physiotherapy’ group. Results: A total of eight patients in the ‘early physiotherapy’ group and fourteen patients in the ‘delayed physiotherapy’ group developed seroma. No statistical significance was noted in context to seorma formation and physiotherapy as an intervention. Conclusion: Early physiotherapy does not influcneseroma formation among patients who undergo breast surgery with axillary dissection. However, early physiotherapy helped in improving shoulder disability, mobility, and functional capacity. In context to the early post-operative period, physiotherapy has reduced pain among patients. There is a need for large multi-center trials to assess the potential of early physiotherapy in reducing or preventing seroma among breast cancer patients.