Abstract: Objective To investigate the impact of local 2% iodine tincture application on healing wounding flap and reducing seroma formation following a model created in rabbits. Methods Thirty-two New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into groups A, B, C and D, group A and group B as control groups, group C and group D as treatment groups. The flaps of treatment groups were treated with 2% iodine tincture, and the control groups with normal saline. group A and group C were sacrificed on the third day after surgery, while group B and group D on the fifth day. We analyzed the results of weight, leukocyte count, neutrophil percentage, seroma volume of all groups and we evaluated tissue samples using histopathological examinations. Results Seroma formation was significantly decreased in groups C, D compared with groups A, B (P<0.05). The proportion of hyperplastic collagen fibrils and hyperplastic vessels number were both significantly higher in groups C, D than that of groups A, B (P<0.001). There is no significant difference among the four groups in terms of weight, leukocyte count and neutrophil percentage. Conclusion Two percent iodine tincture promoted angiogenesis and collagen synthesis of free flap, reduced seroma formation and accelerated wound healing of New Zealand rabbits.

Key words: Breast cancer, Seroma, 2% iodine tincture, Modified radical mastectomy