Single Versus Double Drains After Mastectomy

Background: Seroma is one of the most common complications after mastectomies. Seroma formation results in delays in wound healing, incisional dehiscence, infections and long hospital stay. Although there are studies proving that drains do not prevent seroma formation, the use of drains for that purpose is still very common. Decreasing the number of drains used after mastectomies has been shown to decrease patients' discomfort and duration of hospital stay without increasing seroma formation.

Objective: To investigate the effects of single versus double drains on patient comfort and seroma formation after modified radical mastectomy (MRM) Material and Method: Sixty patients undergoing MRM at Diskapi Yildirim Beyazit Training and Research Hospital will be randomised into single versus double drains groups. A negative pressure drain will be inserted below the lower flap directing to the axilla in the single drain group or two similar drains will be inserted into the axilla and below the lower flap in the double drains group. Drains will be removed if the output is less than 30 ml. Seroma is defined as fluid accumulation below the flaps and will be examined daily after the operation. One day after removal of the drains seroma under the flaps and in the axilla will be examined by ultrasonography. Age, body mass index smoking history, coexisting diseases of the patients duration of the hospital stay, duration of the drains in place, total drain output in the first three days after the operation and the need and frequency of aspirations due to seroma formation will be recorded. Patient comfort was measured with a comfort scale between 1-10 measuring incisional pain, pain caused by the drains, discomfort or sleep disturbances caused by the drains, The duration of the longer staying drain in the double drain group will be recorded for the duration of the drain in place parameter. Two groups will be compared with chi-square, student's t-test or Mann-Whitney U test. P<0.005 will be considered as significant.

Inclusion criteria

• Breast cancer
• Modified radical mastectomy

Exclusion criteria

• Distant metastasis
• Male breast cancer
• Bleeding diathesis