SynthesisAnnals of Saudi medicine
Does the use of perioperative corticosteroids reduce the incidence of seroma formation after breast cancer surgery? A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Synthesis in Annals of Saudi medicine. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
2 citing papers in PubMed.
- Article
- AGO Recommendations for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Patients with Early Breast Cancer: Update 2026.Breast care (Basel, Switzerland) · 2026Review
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
8 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundSeroma is a common complication of breast cancer surgery, affecting up to 85% of cases.
objectiveTo assess the effectiveness of perioperative corticosteroids in reducing seroma formation.
designSystematic review and meta-analysis of published literature from PubMed, Ovid, Google Scholar, and Web of Science databases.
methodsA systematic search identified randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on corticosteroids in breast cancer surgery. Data were pooled using a random-effects model. Subgroup analyses were performed by corticosteroid type, timing, and route. Risk of bias (RoB) was assessed using the Cochrane Collaboration's RoB Tool for RCTs. Articles were collected from inception to August 2024. Inclusion criteria: RCTs and observational studies evaluating perioperative corticosteroids in breast cancer surgery. Exclusion criteria: non-breast surgery populations and absence of seroma outcome data. MAIN OUTCOMES MEASURES: Incidence of postoperative seroma. SAMPLE SIZE: Seven RCTs involving 689 patients were included.
resultsPooled analysis using random-effects model demonstrated that corticosteroids reduced seroma risk (OR: 0.31, 95% CI: 0.20-0.48). Hydrocortisone was more effective than methylprednisolone (OR: 0.14 vs. 0.41; RISK OF BIAS: Publication bias assessment using Duval and Tweedie method identified three hypothetically missing studies; adjusted pooled estimate: OR 0.42 (95% CI: 0.28-0.63,
conclusionCorticosteroids, especially hydrocortisone, appears to be effective in reducing seroma formation. LIMITATIONS: Small sample size, protocol variability, and moderate publication bias as evidenced by funnel plot asymmetry and heterogeneity in timing subgroups (I²=48.1%). REGISTRATION NO: CRD42024590767.
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