Table 4.
Complication characteristics
| Variable | Median and range/frequency |
|---|---|
| Time interval until first symptom of complication | 3.1 months (1 day–15 years) |
| Temporal relation of complication and WBRT | |
| Before (intended) start of WBRT | 5 (50%) |
| During WBRT | 1 (10%) |
| After completion of WBRT | 4 (40%) |
| Symptoms at first presentationa | |
| Redness | 8 (80%) |
| Seroma | 6 (60%) |
| Wound infection | 6 (60%) |
| Suture dehiscence | 6 (60%) |
| Induration | 4 (40%) |
| Hematoma | 1 (10%) |
| Necrosis | 1 (10%) |
| Fever > 38.5 °C | 0 (0%) |
| Antibiotic therapy > 3 days | 6 (60%) |
| Cefuroxime | 3 (30%) |
| Amoxicillin/clavulanic acid | 1 (10%) |
| Ciprofloxacin | 1 (10%) |
| Flucloxacillin | 1 (10%) |
| Puncture of seroma | 3 (30%) |
| Surgical intervention | 10 (100%) |
| Number of inventions | 1 (1–9) |
| Type of surgical interventiona | |
| Excision of necrosis or fistula | 6 (60%) |
| Secondary suture | 5 (50%) |
| NPWT | 1 (10%) |
| Mastectomy | 1 (10%) |
| Flap surgery | 1 (10%) |
| Referral to plastic surgery | 2 (20%) |
WBRT whole breast radiotherapy, NPWT negative-pressure wound therapy
aMultiple answers possible