DOI: 10.36347/sjams.2017.v05i04.080

Pages: 1649-1651

Suction drains are routinely used after modified radical mastectomy (MRM) and is an important factor contributing to increased hospital stay. Negative suction is expected to drain the collection and reduce the dead space. 50 FNAC proven cases of locally advanced breast cancer were randomized in two groups. Group A with full vacuum suction (pressure = 100mmHg) and Group B with half vacuum suction drainage (pressure = 50 mmHg). The outcomes measured were postoperative seroma formation and length of hospital stay. Mean of 18.68 days of drainage was noted in Group A and 14.24 days in Group B. Seroma formation was the most common complication in Group A (6/25) while none of patients in Group B developed seroma. Other complications noted were wound infection and flap necrosis. The study concluded that half vacuum suction drain is better than full vacuum suction by decreasing the amount of drain output , less duration of drainage, shortening the duration of hospital stay and preventing the incidence of seroma in post MRM period. Incidence of wound infection and flap necrosis among the full vacuum and half vacuum groups are statistically insignificant. Overall half vacuum suction drainage should be preferred over full vacuum suction drainage in Modified Radical Mastectomy.