Prospective Study on Avoiding Seroma Formation by Flap Fixation After Modified Radical Mastectomy.

INTRODUCTION: Seroma development after mastectomy is a common complication. Continued seroma causes increased outpatient visits, repeated aspirations, infection, delayed healing, delayed adjuvant therapy, and increased cost. Various treatments are being attempted to prevent and reduce seroma development. We examined the effects of flap fixation on seroma using absorbable sutures after modified radical mastectomy (MRM). METHODS: The prospectively recorded data of patients who underwent surgery for breast cancer were analyzed retrospectively. 72 consecutive patients who underwent MRM were included in the study. Patients who underwent MRM in the same way by the same surgeon were divided into two groups: the group whose wound was closed by fixing the flap to the chest wall with an absorbable suture (group A), and the group whose wound was closed with the classical method (group B). The groups were compared in terms of seroma development, clinicopathological data, and early complications. RESULTS: Drain removal time and the total amount of drained fluid in group A patients were significantly lower than drain removal time and the total amount of drained fluid in group B patients (P < .001). Similarly, the amount of aspirated seroma in the control examinations of group A patients was significantly lower than that in group B (P < .05). Group B needed re-aspiration significantly more than group A (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: Flap fixation with suture after MRM is a method that reduces seroma formation and the amount of drained fluid, enables early removal of the drain, prevents delay in starting adjuvant treatment, is more comfortable for the patient and physician, and is also inexpensive.

Determination of the psychometric properties of the digital addiction scale for children.

AIM: To determine the psychometric properties of the Digital Addiction Scale for Children. DESIGN AND METHOD: This methodological study included 506 children aged 9-12 years. Data were collected using the child and family information form, the digital addiction scale for children and the digital game addiction scale for children. The data were evaluated using confirmatory factor analysis Cronbach's alpha, convergent validity, and gender-based measurement invariance analysis. Confirmatory factor analysis was applied using Mplus 8.7 with robust maximum likelihood estimation procedures. RESULTS: Confirmatory factor were performed for construct validity. The scale was found to have good model fit indicators. The factor loadings of all the components were found to be >0.40. Convergent validity of Digital addiction scale for children and digital game addiction scale showed a significant positive high correlation. The total Cronbach alpha value of the scale was determined as 0.94, and the Cronbach alpha values of the subscales as Interpersonal 0.89, and Intrapersonal 0.91. CONCLUSION: The use of the digital addiction scale for children was determined to be a valid and reliable scale for the screening of digital device use and digital addiction in a Turkish sample. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Nurses and other health professionals have an important role in detecting situations that put children's health at risk and promoting positive behaviors. It is especially important that school health nurses use valid and reliable tools that can determine children's digital addictions. Since this scale is easy and practical, it is thought that it will contribute significantly to the literature.