The Incidence of Early Postoperative Complications Following Modified Radical Mastectomy in Breast Cancer Patients

Introduction Breast cancer is considered the most common malignant tumor in women, and incidence rates have risen progressively over the last decades. Modified radical mastectomy (MRM) is an effective treatment option. This research sought to establish the frequency, causes, and distribution of postoperative complications that are associated with MRM in the Pakistani population suffering from breast cancer. Materials and methods A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted over one year (May 2023 to April 2024) at the Surgical Department of Holy Family Hospital, Rawalpindi. Sixty-one female patients (aged 15 and above) with histopathologically confirmed stage I or II infiltrative ductal carcinoma, undergoing neoadjuvant radiotherapy and radical modified mastectomy, were included. Exclusion criteria involved patients with breast cancer complicated by inflammation, immune deficiencies, or preoperative chemotherapy. Patients were discharged on the second day post-surgery and followed for six weeks to assess seroma formation and wound infection. Data was analyzed using SPSS v23 (IBM Inc., Armonk, New York), with descriptive statistics and mean/standard deviation for variables. Results Patients' mean age in the study was 48.50 ± 12.30 years. Wound infections were observed in seven patients (11.4%) at around postoperative day 5.20 ± 2.10. Seroma formation was observed in 14 patients (23%), and it usually formed by postoperative day 8.70 ± 4.20. Complications led to longer hospital stays, delayed adjuvant therapies, and increased patient suffering. Complication predictors included the patient's age, cancer stage, and surgical parameters. These complications are clearly demonstrated in this study, and it shows that better management approaches are required to reduce their prevalence and improve the patients' experience. Conclusion This study highlights the common postoperative complications following modified radical mastectomy (MRM) in breast cancer patients, including wound infections and seroma formation. These complications led to longer hospital stays and delays in adjuvant therapies. Improved management strategies are essential to reduce complication rates and enhance patient outcomes in MRM surgeries.