Evaluation of a short-stay program for patients undergoing mastectomy

Two hundred twenty-eight patients were included in a retrospective study to evaluate the morbidity and feasibility of early discharge after mastectomy. Group I (early discharge, n = 75) patients were given pre- and postoperative instruction related to wound and drain care. Group II (concurrent control, n = 44) was given similar postoperative instruction, but received no preoperative teaching. Group III (historical controls, n = 109) underwent surgery during a period of more liberal hospitalization and discharge policies. The groups were similar in age, cultural background, operations performed, and pathologic diagnosis. Length of stay for groups I, II, and III was 5.5 +/- 0.4, 3.5 +/- 0.2, and 8.6 +/- 0.3 days, respectively. Groups I and II had a significantly shorter stay than group III. There was no difference among the groups for the presence of wound erythema, rate of primary healing, seroma formation, or wound infection. The practice of same-day admission and early discharge to limit length of stay for patients undergoing mastectomy is safe and effective.