Breast Cancer: Current Research
Open Access

Abstract

Objectives: To compare the overall and individual incidence of postoperative complications, comfort and quality of life resulting from the use of compressive bandaging versus a specific controlled compression garment. Patients and Method: A multicentric randomised controlled trial was conducted in 198 patients distributed in 2 groups: bandaging (n = 88) and compression garment (n = 99). Variables related to immediate postoperative complications and satisfaction with quality of life were collected. Changes in the variables were compared in the 2 groups during the first postoperative month. Results: The incidence of total complications was significantly lower with the compression Garment: 7 days (p = 0.032) and 15 days (p = 0.009). Pain was significantly reduced with the Compression Garment: 7 days (p = 0.002) and 15 days (p = 0.012). The incidence of skin injury was also significantly reduced: 0-2% with the compression garment versus 35% with bandaging (p < 0.0005). Significant differences were found in quality of life in favour of the use of the compression garment (p < 0.0005). Conclusions: The use of a specific controlled compression garment in the immediate postoperative period after breast cancerconserving surgery reduces the likelihood of postoperative complications from 32% to 15% and enhanced efficacy, safety, and patient comfort compared with the usual compressive dressing

Biography

Carmen Delgado has completed her PhD at the age of 24 years in Seville University (Spain) and postdoctoral studies at the age of 29 years also in Seville University School of Medicine. Master in Breast Pathology. She is the director of Breast Cancer Unit in Universitary Valme Hospital, Seville, Spain. She has been Director of the Universitary Valme Hospital during 8 years. She has published more than 30 papers in reputed journals and has extensive in teaching and research experience.