Double-tube and Vacuum Drainage After Radical Mastectomy for Breast Cancer

Objective To investigate the effectiveness of double-tube vacuum drainage in reducing complications after radical breast cancer operation.Methods The clinical data of 96 patients treated with radical mastectomy from February,2000 to February,2007 were retrospectively analyzed.They were randomly divided into non-pressured dressing and double-tube vacuum drainage(NPDVD)group(n=48)and pressured dressing and single-tube vacuum drainage(PSVD)group(n=48).Results The volume of drainage during the first 3 days after operation between NPDVD group(334.7±140.4)ml and PSVD group(145.6±132.9)ml showed significant difference(P0.01).The occurrence of subcutaneous hydrops was 8.3% in NPDVD group,but 31.3% in PSVD group(P0.05).The days of hospital stay of NPDVD group was significantly shorter than that of PSVD group(P0.01).Conclusions The results suggest that using NPDVD could improve the postoperative drainage,reduce the postoperative complications,thus promoting the wound healing after radical mastectomy.