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Effects of Fibrin Sealant on Seroma Reduction for Patients with Breast Cancer Undergoing Axillary Dissection: Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan. Cancer Center, Yuan's General Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan. Department of Health Business Administration, Meiho University, Pingtung, Taiwan. Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan. Center for Evidence-Based Health Care, Shuang Ho Hospital, Taipei Medical University, New Taipei City, Taiwan. Cochrane Taiwan, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan. Center for Evidence-Based Health Care, Shuang Ho Hospital, Taipei Medical University, New Taipei City, Taiwan: kelvintam@h.tmu.edu.tw Cochrane Taiwan, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan: kelvintam@h.tmu.edu.tw Division of General Surgery, Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan: kelvintam@h.tmu.edu.tw Division of General Surgery, Department of Surgery, Shuang Ho Hospital, Taipei Medical University, New Taipei City, Taiwan: kelvintam@h.tmu.edu.tw

Ann Surg Oncol. 2020
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Seroma formation is common in patients with breast cancer after axillary dissection. Fibrin sealant, containing fibrinogen and thrombin, has been developed to improve wound healing. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the efficacy of fibrin sealants in reducing seroma among patients with breast cancer undergoing axillary dissection. METHODS We searched the PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library databases for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published up to April 2020. Pooled estimates of the outcomes were computed using a random-effects model. The primary outcomes were incidence and volume of seroma, while the secondary outcomes were volume and duration of drainage, incidence of infection, and length of hospital stay. RESULTS We reviewed 23 RCTs that included 1640 patients. Compared with the control group, the fibrin sealant group had no significant differences in the incidence of seroma, length of hospital stay, or incidence of surgical site infection. Significant intergroup differences were discovered in lower volume of seroma (weighted mean difference [WMD] - 71.88, 95% confidence interval [CI] - 135.58 to - 8.19), volume of drainage (WMD - 73.24, 95% CI - 107.32 to - 39.15), and duration of drainage (WMD - 0.84, 95% CI - 1.50 to - 0.19). CONCLUSIONS Fibrin sealants provide limited benefits in reducing the volume of seroma and the volume and duration of drainage. Therefore, after shared decision making, surgeons may apply fibrin sealants to patients with breast cancer undergoing axillary dissection.
Study details
Study Design : Systematic Review
Language : eng
Credits : Bibliographic data from MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine