A PROSPECTIVE RANDOMIZED TRIAL OF THE MANAGEMENT OF SUCTION DRAINS FOLLOWING BREAST-CANCER SURGERY WITH AXILLARY CLEARANCE

A prospective randomized trial was conducted to determine the safety o f early suction drain removal following breast cancer surgery with axi llary clearance. Patients were randomized to either axillary drain rem oval on day 5 or when drainage became minimal (< 30 ml/day). No signif icant difference was demonstrated between the two groups with regard t o post-operative seroma formation, infection rate, lymphoedema or rest riction of shoulder movement. Analysis of drainage volumes revealed th at it is impossible to predict which patients are likely to develop su bsequent seromas. A patient questionnaire demonstrated a strong prefer ence for early drain removal. It is concluded that it is safe and acce ptable to remove axillary drain on the fifth post-operative day in pat ients undergoing breast cancer surgery with axillary clearance.