This is a pilot study to evaluate the feasibility of conducting a larger trial to determine
if the use of intraoperative topical tranexamic acid (TXA) decreases the rate of
post-operative hematomas and seromas in breast cancer patients after their mastectomy. In
other words, the investigators want to determine if applying TXA inside the surgical wound
before it is closed helps reduce blood or serous fluid accumulation at the operative site.
Dependent on the results of this study, a further larger trial may or may not take place.
Post-operative seromas and hematomas are common complications of mastectomy surgery not only
leading to infection, discomfort, wound dehiscence or emergency room visits; they also delay
in some instances post-operative adjuvant radiotherapy. Establishing whether or not topical
TXA is an effective strategy to decrease those complications can potentially impact
positively the breast cancer treatment.
To achieve this aim, this randomized pilot study will first determine whether a larger
multicenter study if feasible. This study will replicate a formal randomized trial at a
smaller scale in a single center in order to assess the recruitment and randomization
process, as well as provide preliminary results for our research question.