Introduction Use of drains after mastectomy remains highly variable. This study aimed to establish whether simple mastectomy managed without a drain would cost less than the same procedure managed with a drain and whether there would be any difference in complications. Methods Prospective data were collected on all patients undergoing simple mastectomy ± sentinel lymph node biopsy over sixteen months. Surgeons decided intra-operatively whether to place a drain. Data included operative details, mastectomy weight, length of stay and postoperative complications. Costing data were identified by combining hospital finance costs for admission and follow-up appointments along with the cost of consumables. Results One hundred and thirty mastectomies were performed on 119 patients. There was a significant difference in mastectomy weight between drain group patients (n=80, median: 730g) and no drain group patients (n=50, median: 424g) (p=<0.001). The mean cost for drain group patients was £639.77 whilst for the no drain group was £365.46, indicating a potential unit saving of £21944.93 over sixteen months. Length of stay was shorter in the no drain group (range: 1-2 days) than the drain group (range: 1-4 days). The presence or absence of drains did not influence complication rates, with no change in seroma interventions (p=0.803). Conclusions Managing simple mastectomy patients without a drain resulted in no increase in complications or subsequent interventions for seroma. Significant cost savings to both the hospital and to the patient can be achieved by omitting drain use. Routine use of drains in patients undergoing simple mastectomy ± SNB may be unnecessary and costly.
Keywords: drain; mastectomy; seroma.