In a randomized trial conducted at a community hospital, researchers aimed to investigate the impact of postoperative shoulder immobilization on the incidence of seromas following modified radical mastectomy. The study, conducted by surgeons C.D. Knight, et. al., spanned from March 1991 to February 1993 and included 38 patients.

The trial involved dividing the patients into two cohorts based on their postoperative shoulder range of motion. One group had maximum range of motion, while the other had minimum range of motion. The primary outcome measures were the incidence of postmastectomy seromas and the time required for patients to achieve 110 degrees of shoulder abduction after surgery.

Among the patients with maximum range of motion, a significant 72% (13 out of 18) developed seromas, whereas only 6% (1 out of 17) in the minimum range of motion cohort experienced seromas (P = .0005). Additionally, the average time for patients with maximum range of motion to achieve 110 degrees of shoulder abduction was 2.6 weeks, compared to 5.0 weeks for those with minimum range of motion (P = .0127).

The findings of this study suggest that postmastectomy shoulder immobilization plays a crucial role in reducing the incidence of wound seromas. Despite the observed delay in regaining normal shoulder mobility for patients with shoulder immobilization, there were no reported cases of long-term musculoskeletal dysfunction. This research provides valuable insights into a potential preventive measure for complications following mastectomy procedures, emphasizing the importance of carefully considering postoperative protocols to optimize patient outcomes.

Reference: Knight, C. D., & Griffen, F. D. (1995). Prevention of seromas in mastectomy wounds: The effect of shoulder immobilization. Archives of Surgery, 130(1), 99-101.