Drains Prevent Seromas Following Lumpectomy with Axillary Dissection

Lumpectomy with axillary dissection for breast cancer is usually followed by at least an overnight stay in the hospital for drain management. We eliminated drains and discharged patients following lumpectomy and axillary dissection. A retrospective study of 80 consecutive patients from July 1, 1994, to June 30, 1995, formed the basis for this study. Drains were omitted in 20 consecutive patients discharged to home after undergoing lumpectomy with axillary dissection. This group was compared to the 62 previous patients who had 7 mm closed suction drains until the drainage was less than 25 ml/shift. Seroma formation occurred in 40% of the undrained patients compared to 6% of patients kept overnight in the hospital with a closed-suction drain (p < 0.001). Tumors were smaller and the number of nodes examined by the pathologists was fewer in the patients managed without drains. Patients developing seromas were older, heavier, and shorter than those who did not develop seromas. The use of a drain was related significantly to seroma formation in multivariate analysis.