Predicting risk for seroma development after axillary or inguinal sentinel lymph node biopsy in melanoma patients

BACKGROUND: Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) is currently a routine procedure in the staging of patients with cutaneous melanoma; however, little information is available about the risk factors for postoperative complications, especially for the risk of seroma formation. METHODS: Medical records of patients undergoing SLNB at the University Hospital of Cologne, Germany, between 2011 and 2016, were reviewed. Binary logistic regression was used to analyze the influence of a wide range of variables on seroma development. RESULTS: A total of 615 patients were included in the study. Overall, 20.4% of patients developed complications with seroma being the most common postoperative complication. Development of seroma was significantly more common among smokers than nonsmokers (OR = 1.956, P = 0.007). Inguinal localization (OR = 3.644, P < 0.0001) was also associated with seroma formation. Male patients developed a seroma significantly more often than female patients following SLNB (OR = 2.104, P = 0.001). The presence or absence of metastasis in the lymph node did not influence seroma development. CONCLUSIONS: Male sex, inguinal localization, and smoking are risk factors for the development of seroma.