Purpose: The use of suction drains after breast cancer surgery (BCS) is common practice. However, the optimal time to remove drains is not clear yet and limited research has been conducted so far to assess the impact of their use on patient comfort. The goal of this study was to investigate the effect of early drain removal after BCS on quality of life (QoL) and clinical outcome.
Method: A randomised controlled trial was conducted in 99 patients scheduled for BCS including placement of suction drains. Patients were randomised into either group 1: drains removed output-based, i.e., flow less than 30 ml/day or group 2: drains removed at hospital discharge, i.e., 4-5 days after surgery. A questionnaire on QoL was completed by the patients both pre- and postoperatively.
Results: Early drain removal was associated with a significant improvement in QoL. Additionally, total duration of home care nursing was considerably lower in the early-removal group (19 versus 1 day on average). No differences were observed in wound healing or the rate of wound infections, the latter being slightly lower in the early-removal group (13% versus 6%). Total volumes of fluid drained and/or aspirated were significantly lower in the early-removal group (median 1745 ml versus 752 ml), but more aspirations were needed (median 1 versus 3). The new policy of early drain removal was preferred by 94% of the patients in the early removal group.
Conclusions: Early removal of suction drains improves QoL and has no negative effect on clinical outcomes after BCS.
Keywords: Breast cancer; Early drain removal; Postoperative complications; Quality of life; Randomised controlled trial; Suction drain.
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