Abstract

Aim: We administered A. montana 1000K to evaluate its benefits on post-operative blood loss and seroma production in women undergoing unilateral total mastectomy.
Methods: From 2012 to 2014, 53 women were randomly assigned to A. montana or placebo and were followed up to 5 days. The main endpoint was the reduction in blood and serum volumes collected in drainages. Secondary endpoints 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%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 favour of A. montana (-106.28 mL; 95%CI 9.45-203.11; p=0.03). Volumes collected on the day of surgery and following days were significantly lower with A. montana at day 2 (p=0.033) and 3 (p=0.0223). Secondary endpoints have not revealed significant differences.
Conclusions: A. montana 1000K 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.

Key words: Arnica montana, homeopathy, mastectomy, breast cancer, seroma