Aims: Mastectomy and axillary clearance are standard operations for the tre
atment of breast carcinoma. Drainage of the mastectomy site and axilla is o
ften required to allow accumulating blood and inflammatory fluids to escape
. However, there is a lack of data relating to how long suction drains shou
ld stay in situ after major breast surgery. In our study we have tried to a
ddress this deficit by comparing the efficacy of 5-day post-operative drain
age with 8-day post-operative drainage.
Methods: Patients requiring mastectomy and axillary clearance were randomiz
ed to having drains removed on day 5 or day 8 post-operatively, The number
of lymphoceles, aspirations and total aspiration volumes in chest and axill
ary drains were compared.
Results: From a total of 121 patients enrolled into the study, 64 patients
were randomized to the 5-day group and 57 to the 8-day group. There were si
gnificant differences regarding the number of aspirations and total aspirat
ion volumes in chest and axillary drains between the two groups, favouring
8-day drainage. However the number of lymphoceles drained in the 5-day grou
p was significantly higher than the 8-day group.
Conclusions: Five-day post-operative drainage is as safe as 8-day post-oper
ative drainage in the management of patients undergoing major breast surger
y, but results in an increase in lymphocele aspiration and aspiration volum
e. (C) 2001 Harcourt Publishers Ltd.