Comparison of Single versus Double Drains after Modified Radical Mastectomy: a Randomized Clinical Trial

Gurkan Guneri, Melih Akinci, Kerim Bora Yilmaz, Zafer Ergul, Emine Ozturk, Duray Seker and Hakan Kulacoglu

Department of Surgery, Ankara Diskapi Teaching and Research Hospital, Turkey
Department of Radiology, Ankara Diskapi Teaching and Research Hospital, Turkey

^*Correspondance to: Melih Akinci 

 PDF  Full Text DOI: 10.25107/2474-1647.2221

Abstract

Mastectomy is still a common procedure and the drain usage after this procedure is controversial mainly due to diverse recommendations. We aimed to investigate the effects of single versus double drains on patient’s comfort, seroma formation and duration of hospital stay after Modified Radical Mastectomy (MRM). Eligible patients undergoing MRM were assigned randomly into single versus double drains groups. A negative pressure drain was inserted below the lower flap directing to the axilla in the single drain group or two similar drains were inserted into the axilla and below the lower flap in the double drains group. One day after removal of the drains, seroma under the flaps and in the axilla were examined by ultrasonography. Age, body mass index smoking history, coexisting diseases, length of hospital stay, duration of the drains, total drain output and the need and frequency of aspirations due to seroma formation were recorded. Patient comfort was measured with a comfort scale between 1-10 measuring incisional pain, pain caused by the drains, discomfort or sleep disturbances caused by the drains. Groups with thirty patients each were well matched for age, body mass index, smoking habits and coexisting diseases. Patient discomfort, length of hospital stay, duration of drains and need of aspiration for seroma were similar in two groups (p ≥ 0.05). Seroma formation was higher in single drain group than in double drain group (p<0.05). Double drains after mastectomies have been shown to decrease seroma formation without increasing patients’ discomfort and duration of hospital stay.

Keywords

Breast Cancer; Drains; Modified Radical Mastectomy; Patient Comfort; Seroma

Cite the article

Guneri G, Akinci M, Yilmaz KB, Ergul Z, Ozturk E, Seker D, et al. Comparison of Single versus Double Drains after Modified Radical Mastectomy: a Randomized Clinical Trial. Clin Surg. 2018; 3: 2221.