Is there a role for homeopathy in breast cancer surgery? A first randomized clinical trial on treatment with to reduce post-operative seroma and bleeding in patients undergoing total mastectomy.

Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the benefits of on post-operative blood loss and seroma production in women undergoing unilateral total mastectomy by administering 1000 Korsakovian dilution (1000 K).

Materials And Methods: From 2012 to 2014, 53 women were randomly assigned to 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 (-94.40 ml; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 22.48-211.28; = 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 (-106.28 ml; 95% CI: 9.45-203.11; = 0.03). Volumes collected on the day of surgery and the following days were significantly lower with at days 2 ( = 0.033) and 3 ( = 0.0223). Secondary end points have not revealed significant differences.

Conclusions: 1000 K could reduce post-operative blood and seroma collection in women undergoing unilateral total mastectomy. Larger studies are needed with different dilutions of to further validate these data.