A study on role of continuous suction drain tube in post-mastectomy seroma collection in carcinoma breast

Abstract

Background: The essential parts of surgical management are breast conservation surgery and modified radical mastectomy of Auchincloss. Seroma is the most common complication following surgery of the breast. By creating negative pressure and obliterating dead space. The continuous suction drain tube procedure has been suggested as one potential technique to reduce the incidence of seroma in breast surgery by creating negative pressure. The aim was to study the effect of continuous suction drain tube in reducing seroma and to compare with standard closed suction drain.Methods: Totally 50 female were observed in the study. Patients undergoing modified radical mastectomy for breast carcinoma were included in this study. During the closure, the wound was closed with a closed-suction drain. Suction drain end was connected to a suction pump which was available in the wards.Results: The age of patients with a peak incidence in the 4th decade of life ranging from 35 years to80 years. The quantity of seroma in the postoperative period was measured on 3rd day, 7th day, 10th day, 12th day and 15th day. There was a significant difference in the seroma quantity postoperatively, thus permitting an earlier removal of drain tube in the study group.Conclusions: The role of continuous suction drain tube in modified radical mastectomy has reduced the formation of seroma significantly has led to the early removal of drains, institution of 1st cycle of chemotherapy before discharging the patient and thus reducing the hospital stay. It has also led to low incidence of flap necrosis postoperatively.