The possible complications are shown bellow:

1.Reddened skin, swelling and discomfort occur at the incision site. This should  be   treated with antibiotics. Occasionally, a patient may need to return to operating room to wash out the surgical cavity.

2.Hematoma which is an accumulation of blood in surgical cavity can be painful. It is caused by arteriole( small blood vessel).The muscle fibers of wall of  arteriole constricts and closes off the vessel. A few hours after the surgery, the divided end reopens and bleeding will begin when the muscle fibers begin to relax. Large hematoma will require follow-up surgery in which it is removed and the source of bleeding is sealed.

3.Seroma, an accumulation of  fluids of  the lymph in surgical cavity may cause swelling and discomfort without bruising. It will interfere daily activities. A seroma can be drained through a needle by the surgeon.

4.During a mastectomy, many of the sensory nerves in the breast will be cut, causing permanent loss of sensation on that side of the chest. The scar areas will almost always remain numb.

5.If the patient has large breast, losing a breast after mastectomy may cause an imbalance. This imbalance may pull the spine out of alignment.

6.Lymphedema, a swelling of the arm and hand  as a result of accumulation of lymph fluid is a common feature for women  who  had undergone axillary dissection. Greater numbers of lymph nodes cut , underarm radiation therapy  and obesity are believed to raise the risk of lymphedema. The risk can be minimized by avoiding high heat( sun exposure) and burns, taking care of skin by avoiding injuries ,keeping lymph channels open(avoid tight clothing,jewelry and accessories around shoulder,arm or hand), avoiding muscle strain and maintaining healthy diet can.

Patients have to inform surgeon if they experience any of the following:

1.Signs of infection( redness ,swelling or foul-smelling drainage from wound)

2.Signs of hematoma

3.Temperature greater than 101.5 F

4.Worsening pain

5.Nausea and vomiting

6.Chest pain, shortness of breath and rapid heartbeat


Drain Care after Surgery:

A drain is placed when a mastectomy or axillary dissection is undergone to remove the lymphatic fluid accumulated and is removed a week or two later.

Guidelines for Emptying and Cleaning the Drain:

1.All supplies are gathered including a measuring cup.

2.Hands are washed and dried.

3.The stopper is taken out of the bulb. The fluid are emptied into the measuring cup.

4.The entire bulb is grasped in hand and squeezed tightly.

5.The stopper is reinserted.

6.The amount of fluid collected is recorded.

7.The fluid is flushed down the toilet.

8.The measuring cup is washed and dried.

If there is any blockage, drainage may stop suddenly and leaking may occur.

Incision Care:

In approximately three weeks time, the incision will be mostly healed. Patients are suggested to massage the area with vitamin E or Mederma which is sold at the counter( over-the-counter) to help to minimize the scarring.