Background: Breast cancer has consistently been the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women globally for the past three decades, significantly contributing to the surgical load associated with cancer treatment. Surgical options for breast cancer include breast conservation therapy and mastectomy, with or without axillary dissection, depending on the stage of the disease. The most common surgical procedure for this cancer is modified radical mastectomy (MRM), which often leads to complications such as skin flap necrosis, hematoma, seroma, and surgical site infection. These postoperative complications can demoralize patients and potentially delay adjuvant treatments, leading to adverse outcomes.

Methods: This prospective analytical study aimed to investigate the efficacy of using GELFOAM to reduce seroma formation post-MRM. Conducted at Pt. J.N.M. Medical College & Dr. B.R.A.M. Hospital, Raipur, Chhattisgarh, from December 2022 to January 2023, the study included 38 patients undergoing MRM. All patients received GELFOAM during surgery, and postoperative follow-ups were conducted on days 2, 7, 14, and 30 to monitor seroma formation and other complications.

Results: The study revealed that 29 patients experienced a reduction in seroma volume, while 9 patients had an increase despite the use of GELFOAM. Significant associations with seroma formation were observed for smoking, hypertension, BMI, and neoadjuvant chemotherapy/radiation (P=0.0001 each), as well as for diabetes mellitus and dense breast tissue (P=0.044 and P=0.040, respectively). The extent of lymph node dissection also played a crucial role, with a highly significant association (P=0.00001). Flap necrosis and surgical site infections were strongly associated with seroma formation (P=0.0001). Early removal of drains and shorter hospital stays were linked to less seroma formation (P=0.00001).

Conclusion: Utilizing GELFOAM during MRM significantly reduces the occurrence and volume of seroma formation, facilitating early removal of suction drains and improving postoperative outcomes. Therefore, incorporating GELFOAM as a standard step in MRM is highly recommended.