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Comparative Study
. 2019 Dec;98(51):e18511.
doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000018511.

Comparison between ultrasound-guided aspiration performed using an intravenous cannula or a conventional needle in patients with peri-prosthetic seroma

Jeeyeon Lee  1 , Ho Yong Park  1   2 , Wan Wook Kim  1 , Chan Sub Park  1 , Ryu Kyung Lee  1 , Jung Dug Yang  3 , Joon Seok Lee  3 , Jin Hyang Jung  1
Affiliations
Comparative Study

Comparison between ultrasound-guided aspiration performed using an intravenous cannula or a conventional needle in patients with peri-prosthetic seroma

Jeeyeon Lee et al. Medicine (Baltimore). 2019 Dec.

Abstract

Background: Peri-prosthetic seroma after implant insertion for breast reconstruction is a common but difficult-to-manage complication. This study aimed to compare peri-prosthetic seroma duration and the number of aspirations associated with intravenous cannula with those associated with conventional needle.

Methods: Seventy-one patients who underwent skin- or nipple-sparing mastectomy and implant insertion were treated for peri-prosthetic seroma. When peri-prosthetic seroma was detected, ultrasound-guided aspiration was performed either by using an intravenous cannula (n = 35) or a conventional needle (n = 36); however, the method adopted was randomly selected. We analyzed the participants' clinicopathologic factors after medical record review.

Results: There were no significant intergroup differences in mean age (P = .052), mean body mass index (P = .601), total clinical tumor size (P = .107), pathologic tumor size (P = .269), specimen weight (P = .147), implant size (P = .313), or operation time (P = .595). However, the mean total peri-prosthetic seroma volume was significantly higher (105.80 vs 88.58, P = .015) but the number of aspirations was lower (4.48 vs 5.80, P = .043) in the intravenous cannula group than in the conventional needle group. Mean peri-prosthetic seroma volume per aspiration was nonsignificantly higher in the intravenous cannula group (26.92 vs 19.14, P = .291).

Conclusion: Ultrasound-guided aspiration performed using an intravenous cannula was comparable to the procedure performed using a conventional needle. Furthermore, the former method can be safer and effective alternative to manage peri-prosthetic seroma.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Two different devices used for the aspiration of peri-prosthetic seroma. A syringe with a conventional needle (upper) and an intravenous catheter (lower).
Figure 2
Figure 2
Ultrasonographic findings of aspiration procedure for peri-prosthetic seroma. (A) Postoperative seroma is clearly visible in the peri-prosthetic space (arrow) and the implant capsule (arrow) and is easily distinguishable from the implant cavity. (B) Freshly punctured peri-prosthetic space by a needle tip (arrow head).
Figure 3
Figure 3
Comparison between ultrasound-guided aspiration performed using an intravenous cannula and that performed using a conventional needle in patients with peri-prosthetic seroma. (A) Number of times ultrasound-guided aspiration was performed using an intravenous cannula or a conventional needle. (B) Total volume of ultrasound-guided aspiration performed using an intravenous cannula or a conventional needle.
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