To investigate the efficacy of topical administration of 2% iodine tincture in modified radical mastectomy on reducing subcutaneous effusion.

From May 2018 to March 2019, a total of eighty-one patients undergoing modified radical mastectomy in the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University were enrolled prospectively in this study. According to the random number, they were divided into two groups. 41 patients in the trial group were administrated 2% iodine tincture in the surface of operative wounds, and 40 patients in the control group were administrated 0.9% sodium chloride injection. The following data were compared as postoperative drainage volume 1 day, 2 days and 3 days after operation, postoperative drainage tube duration and hospitalization duration, and the incidence of postoperative complications such as subcutaneous effusion and flap necrosis between the two groups.

There were no significant differences in age, body mass index, occupation and education background between the two groups. The postoperative drainage volume 1 day, 2 days and 3 days after operation in the trial group were less than those in the control group, the postoperative drainage tube duration and hospitalization duration were shorter in the trial group compared to the control group, and the differences were statistically significant (t=3.348, 4.421, 2.966, 5.936, 10.070, P=0.001, <0.001, 0.004, <0.001, <0.001). The incidence of flap necrosis after operation in the trial group was 7.3% (3/41), and the control group was 5.0% (2/40), with no satistically significant difference (χ²=0.240, P=0.624). The incidence of subcutaneous effusion after operation in the trial group was 4.9% (2/41), which was lower than 20.0% (8/40) in the control group, the difference was statistically significant (χ²=4.278, P=0.039).

Topical administration of 2% iodine tincture in modified radical mastectomy can effectively reduce postoperative drainage volume, shorten drainage tube duration, and prevent subcutaneous effusion.