Postoperative Suction Drainage of the Axilla: for How Long? Prospective Randomised Trial

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Abstract
To define the correct time to remove the drain after axillary dissection for carcinoma of the breast.Prospective randomised trial.Two public hospitals, Israel.90 women who required axillary dissection for carcinoma of the breast.42 were randomised to have the drain removed on postoperative day 3, and 48 to keep the drain in until discharge had decreased to less than 35 ml/24 hours.Formation of seromas or wound infections, need to reinsert the drain, and duration of hospital stay.Early removal of the axillary drain was associated with a significantly higher incidence of seromas (9/42 compared with 2/48, p = 0.02) unless the total amount of fluid drained during the first three postoperative days was less than 250 ml.Drains should be removed after axillary dissection only when the daily amount of fluid discharged is low, unless the drainage during the first three days is less than 250 ml.

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