PR12 A RETROSPECTIVE REVIEW OF SEROMA COMPLICATIONS FOLLOWING LATISSIMUS DORSI MUSCLE HARVEST

Purpose  Seroma following latissimus dorsi muscle flap operations cause considerable patient morbidity and healthcare costs.1 We present a retrospective review of patient and surgical variables leading to seroma over five years at the Christchurch Hospital Plastic Surgery Department. Method  Patient data were collated by ICD‐10 code searches through the Christchurch Hospital patient information database under the categories of:•  muscular flaps •  mastectomies •  seroma.These patients were filtered for any pedicled or free latissimus dorsi flap harvested. Each patient’s files were then scrutinised for demographics, inpatient progress, and outpatient follow‐ups relating to seroma. Seroma prevention techniques and seroma complications up to the data end point were documented. (Data endpoint was the perceived resolution of a seroma by either patient’s subjective or clinician’s objective impression.) Multivariate statistical analyses were performed. Results  We present relevant patient demographics, surgical, postoperative, and follow‐up statistics. Results and significance of multivariate analyses will be discussed. Conclusion  Despite efforts in careful wound closure, postoperative seroma persists as a significant surgical complication. We have identified several variables relating to seroma incidence. Management of these variables may help reduce post‐operative morbidity and seroma related healthcare cost. This data will be used as a pilot project to help design a prospective study evaluating the use of fibrin tissue glue in preventing donor site seroma.