Use of drain versus no drain after mastectomy: a systematic review
Use of drain versus no drain after mastectomy: a systematic review
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.51473/rcmos.v1i1.2025.915Keywords:
Mastectomy. Surgical drain. Seroma. Quilting sutures. Postoperative complications.Abstract
To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of surgical drains compared to no drains in patients undergoing mastectomy, focusing on seroma formation, infection, recovery time, and secondary procedures. This systematic review followed PRISMA guidelines. A comprehensive search was conducted in PubMed from 2018 to 2025. Included studies were randomized clinical trials, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and comparative observational studies directly assessing the use or absence of drains after mastectomy. Twelve studies were included. Drains reduced the incidence of large seromas and the need for postoperative aspirations in the early days. However, no-drain techniques using flap fixation or quilting sutures showed similar complication rates, with improved patient comfort and shorter hospitalization. Surgical drains are still effective in managing early postoperative seroma, but modern techniques without drains can be equally safe. The choice should consider surgical technique, patient profile, and institutional protocols.
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References
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Copyright (c) 2025 Letícia Meneses Teixeira, Fernanda Kato Diláscio, Gabriel Pereira Martins, Guilherme Starling Moss (Autor)
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