Prevention of postoperative complications in axillary lymphadenectomy through adhesive applicationOA

Background:Postoperative complications,particularly those involving lymphatic drainage,remain a significantchallenge for patients undergoing axillary lymphadenectomy(ALND)as part of breast cancer surgery.Thesecomplications can delay the initiation of adjuvant therapies,increase healthcare costs,and negatively affectpatients’quality of life.This study evaluated the use of a latex-based tissue adhesive(LTA)as an intraoperativestrategy to prevent seroma formation and prolonged lymphorrhea following axillary dissection.Methods:In this prospective study,65 female patients diagnosed with stage Ⅱb-Ⅲ breast cancer and clinicallyconfirmed axillary lymph node involvement were enrolled.Participants were divided into two groups.The studygroup(n=33)received an intraoperative application of LTA without drainage,while the control group(n=32)underwent standard ALND with placement of a silicone vacuum drain.Postoperative outcomes assessed includedlymphatic drainage volume,number of aspirations,duration of lymphorrhea,length of hospital stay,and incidence of complications.Results:Use of the LTA significantly reduced both the volume and duration of postoperative lymphorrhea.Bypostoperative day 10,the average wound exudate volume in the LTA group was 8.2±3.3 mL,compared to54.1±3.9 mL in the control group—an 84.8%reduction.The LTA group also experienced shorter hospital staysand fewer cases of postoperative seroma requiring intervention.Conclusion:LTA appears to be a safe,effective,and practical intraoperative technique for preventing lymphaticcomplications after ALND.Its use may reduce dependence on drainage systems,shorten hospitalization,andsupport earlier initiation of adjuvant therapies,ultimately improving surgical outcomes and patient recovery.