Reduction of Seroma and Improvement of QoL in Breast Reconstruction With Tissue Expander

Reduction of Seroma and Improvement of Quality of Life After Early Drain Removal in Immediate Breast Reconstruction With Tissue Expander. Preliminary Report of a Randomized Controlled Study

The experimental hypothesis of this randomized controlled study was to demonstrate that early drain removal in patients who underwent immediate breast reconstruction with tissue expander is a safety procedure to improving clinical outcomes and quality of life (QoL). The mechanism of action underlying the proposed approach was intuitive. The early drain removal allows to: 1) avoid continuous seroma development caused by active suction of drain (stopping the circle "drain itself may perpetuate the drainage" with vacuum mechanism); 2) reduce the risks connected to "foreign body reaction" as tissue inflammation and infection; 3) improve QoL reducing pain, length of hospital stay and limitations of daily activities.

Inclusion Criteria:

• SNS (skin nipple sparing) or SS (skin sparing) mastectomy for breast cancer and immediate positioning of breast expander (without mesh) with placement of suction drain, regardless of TNM classification

Exclusion Criteria:

• skin reducing mastectomy, reconstruction with flap, direct to implant reconstruction (with or without mesh or ADM) and axillary dissection