Comparison of Axillary Lymph Node Dissection by Using Vessel Sealing System versus Conventional Thread Ligation in Patients Undergoing Modified Radical Mastectomy for Carcinoma of Breast

Abstract

 Objective: To evaluate the results of the traditional thread ligation technique against the vessel sealing system employed in axillary dissection for breast cancer, focusing on the average postoperative drain output and the mean duration until drain removal.

Study Design and Setting: This study was carried out at the Gujranwala Medical College/District Headquarters Hospital. A total of 120 patients were enrolled in this study following the inclusion criteria. A Non-probability consecutive sampling technique was used to divide patients into two groups.

Results: In this study the mean age and BMI in Group A were 52.78 ± 10.06 years and 26.88 ± 3.94 kg/m² respectively. Similarly, the mean age and BMI in Group B were 50.27 ± 11.77 years and 29.08 ± 4.12 kg/m², respectively. In this study the mean drain removal days in the conventional group were 5.05 ± 0.81 and in the ligasure group were 4.75 ± 0.77, with the p-value being as significant as 0.040. Similarly, the mean drain fluid in the conventional group was 640.33 ± 59.80 ml and in the ligasure group was 487.83 ± 27.38 ml, p-value < 0.01. The stratification of the age with respect to drain fluid showed significant differences for all age groups, i.e., p-value < 0.01 except for age group 18-28 years, p-value 0.371.

Conclusion: Axillary lymph node dissection utilising the results in a reduction in mean postoperative drain output and the average duration until drain removal compared to the traditional thread ligation technique.