Early discharge with drain in situ following axillary lymphadenectomy for breast cancer

One-hundred and two women bad axillary lymphadenectomy for breast cancer an d were randomised to early discharge with axillary drain in situ on the thi rd postoperative day or standard duration 7 day hospital stay. The two groups did not differ with respect to seroma formation, wound infec tion or psychological profile as measured by the Hospital Anxiety and Depre ssion Scale and Spielberger State Trait and Anxiety Inventory. Patient sati sfaction levels were high in the early discharge group. The results confirm that early discharge after axillary lymphadenectomy is safe, practical,le and satisfactory for patients. Such a policy offers cons iderable resource savings. (C) 2000 Harcourt Publishers Ltd.