Aim:This study aimed to evaluate the benefits of Arnica montana on post-operative blood loss and seroma production in women undergoing unilateral total mastectomy by administering Arnica Montana 1000 Korsakovian dilution (1000 K).Materials and Methods:From 2012 to 2014, 53 women were randomly assigned to A. montana or placebo and were followed up for 5 days. The main end point was the reduction in blood and serum volumes collected in drainages. Secondary end points were duration of drainage, a self-evaluation of pain, and the presence of bruising or hematomas.Results:The per-protocol analysis revealed a lower mean volume of blood and serum collected in drainages with A. montana (−94.40 ml; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 22.48-211.28; P = 0.11). A regression model including treatment, volume collected in the drainage on the day of surgery, and patient weight showed a statistically significant difference in favor of A. montana (−106.28 ml; 95% CI: 9.45-203.11; P = 0.03). Volumes collected on the day of surgery and the following days were significantly lower with A. montana at days 2 (P = 0.033) and 3 (P = 0.0223). Secondary end points have not revealed significant differences.Conclusions:A. montana 1000 K could reduce post-operative blood and seroma collection in women undergoing unilateral total mastectomy. Larger studies are needed with different dilutions of A. montana to further validate these data.

Sentinel lymph node biopsy for ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) of the breast is not standard of care. However, nodal involvement for DCIS patients is reported. Aim of our study was to identify preoperative features predictive of nodal involvement in DCIS patients. We have retrospectively reviewed 175 patients with a preoperative diagnosis of DCIS following a vacuum-assisted breast biopsy, and undergoing surgery with sentinel node biopsy. Variables distribution was compared between patients upstaged to invasive cancer at final pathology and patients with a confirmed DCIS, and between positive vs negative sentinel node patients. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed for risk of a positive node. Lymph node biopsy was positive in 13 (7.4%) patients, with 8 (61.5%) macrometastases and 5 (38.5%) micrometastases. In these patients, Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) index >4 (OR 4.69, 95% CI 1.282-17.224, P = .02), lesion extension ≥20 mm (OR 4.25, 95% CI 1.255-14.447, P = .02), multifocal disease (OR 4.12, 95% CI 0.987-17.174, P = .05), comedo type (OR 3.54, 95% CI 1.044-11.969, P = .04), and upstaging (OR 4.56, 95% CI 1.080-19.249, P = .04) were all predictive of nodal involvement, although upstaging could not be predicted preoperatively. By multivariate analysis, the only independent factor predictive for positive sentinel node was multifocal disease (OR 5.14, 95% CI 1.015-26.066, P < .05). A preoperative diagnosis of DCIS, also including advanced biopsy systems such as vacuum-assisted breast biopsy, may be not always sufficient to exclude patients from sentinel node biopsy. DCIS patients with associated BI-RADS >4, lesion extension ≥20 mm, comedo type, and above all multifocal disease should be considered for axillary evaluation.

HighlightsLeiomyomatosis peritonealis disseminata can result from laparoscopic myomectomies.Tumor morcellation should be probably reconsidered.In young women hormonal therapy is probably the best approach.Close follow-up is necessary due to the risk of malignant degeneration.