Glucocorticoids around mastectomy may reduce fluid buildup; infection risk remains uncertain
Pooled studies found fewer seromas after surgery, but could not settle whether wound infections became more likely.
Based on the published abstract. The full paper may contain additional methods, results and limitations.
The 30-second takeaway
Glucocorticoids given around mastectomy were linked to fewer postoperative seromas in pooled studies. Drainage volume and time until drain removal were also lower. Wound infections were numerically more frequent with glucocorticoids, but the difference was statistically uncertain. Possible benefits therefore come with an unresolved safety question.
The abstract does not detail follow-up lengths or drug regimens. The infection estimate allows for lower or higher risk, so its nonsignificant result cannot establish safety.
What researchers found
Seroma formation
With glucocorticoids, seroma risk was 0.56 times that with placebo after mastectomy; follow-up duration was unreported.
Wound infection
With glucocorticoids, wound-infection risk was estimated at 1.26 times that with placebo after mastectomy; follow-up duration was unreported. The difference was statistically inconclusive.
What benefit was measured
Seromas are pockets of fluid that collect after surgery. Researchers examined whether glucocorticoid steroid medicines could prevent them after mastectomy, an operation to remove the breast.
Why uncertainty matters
The infection estimate spans both lower and higher risk. This uncertainty means the numerical increase cannot establish harm, while the nonsignificant result cannot show that infection risk is unaffected.
The original publication
The significance of perioperative glucocorticoids in the prevention of seroma formation after mastectomies: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Doleviczényi L, Frivaldszky L, Rancz A et al.
Breast Cancer Res Treat · 2025
- PubMed ID
- 41288819
- Record checked
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