Conservative treatment of wound infection after breast cancer surgery

Introduction: The aim of this study was 1) to ascertain how patients with a wound infection after breast surgery are treated in other Danish surgical departments, and 2) to analyse our experience with conservative treatment of wound infections. Material and methods: 1) A questionnaire sent to surgical departments in Denmark to access how these infections are treated; 2) a prospective analysis of our experience with conservative treatment of wound infections. Results: 1) In 10 of the 20 departments, which perform breast surgery, wound infections were treated by reopening the wound in most cases. 2) Out of 1118 patients operated on for breast cancer, the incidence of wound infection was 3.6%. Ten per cent were admitted to other surgical departments and had their wounds reopened. Ninety-four per cent of the patients treated in our department were treated conservatively, and of these 90% were treated conservatively with repeated aspiration or replacement of the drain, 5% had spontaneous perforation of the wound abscess, corresponding to a small area of necrosis, and healed without operation. Five per cent had a major area of necrosis with underlying infections. These patients had their wound revised surgically with primary closure without complications. All the patients were given antibiotics. Discussions: We conclude that wound infections after operations for breast cancer can be treated conservatively with good results.