Effects of ultrasonic scalpel combined with hemostatic gauze on postoperative axillary wound drainage in patients with breast cancer

Abstract

Objective To investigate the effect of ultrasonic scalpel combined with hemostatic gauze to reduce the postoperative axillary wound drainage in breast cancer patients after surgery. Methods 243 cases of breast cancer patients admitted from Mar. 2011 to May. 2014 were selected as the research object, and they were divided into four groups according to the envelope method: group A(67 cases), group B(59 cases), group C(56 cases), and group D(61 cases). The four groups were given different surgical hemostatic methods: ultrasonic scalpel combined with hemostatic gauze in group A, ultrasonic scalpel without hemostatic gauze in group B, electric knife and hemostatic gauze in group C, and electric knife in group D. The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative drainage, and drainage tube indwelling time were observed and compared between the four groups. Results The operation time and intraoperative blood loss had no significant difference between group A and group B(P>0.05), yet there was significant difference in postoperative drainage and drainage tube indwelling days(P 0.05), yet there was significant difference in the intraoperative blood loss, postoperative drainage and drainage tube indwelling days(P<0.05). There was significant difference when the same indicator of group A and group B compared with group C or group D(P<0.05). Conclusion Ultrasonic scalpel combined with hemostatic gauze used in breast cancer surgery can effectively reduce the axillary wound exudation, and shorten the drainage time. Key words: Breast cancer; Ultrasonic knife; Electric knife; Hemostatic gauze; Drainage