The significance of perioperative glucocorticoids in the prevention of seroma formation after mastectomies: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Altogether, 13 studies (12 RCTs and 1 case-control study) with 1011 patients were included; all were eligible for meta-analysis. The rate of seroma formation was significantly lower in the GC groups compared to the placebo groups (RR = 0.56, CI 0.38; 0.82, p = 0,008). Total volume of drainage (MD = -213.36 ml, CI -312.5; -114.22, p = 0.001) and days to drain removal (MD =-3.01 days, CI -4.06; -1.96, p = 0.001) were also lower in the GC groups. The rate of wound infection showed a higher trend in the intervention groups (RR = 1.26, CI 0.82; 1.92, p = 0.224), although the results did not reach statistical significance, CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that perioperative glucocorticoid administration may reduce seroma formation in patients undergoing mastectomy. A potential increase in wound infection rates was also observed, but this requires further investigation.