Mastectomy Without Drains Reduces Cost with No Detriment to Patient Outcome

Introduction Use of drains after mastectomy remains highly variable. This study aimed to establish whether simple mastectomy managed without a drain would cost less than the same procedure managed with a drain and whether there would be any difference in complications.Methods Prospective data were collected on all patients undergoing simple mastectomy ± sentinel lymph node biopsy over sixteen months. Surgeons decided intra-operatively whether to place a drain. Data included operative details, mastectomy weight, length of stay and postoperative complications. Costing data were identified by combining hospital finance costs for admission and follow-up appointments along with the cost of consumables.Results One hundred and thirty mastectomies were performed on 119 patients. There was a significant difference in mastectomy weight between drain group patients (n=80, median: 730g) and no drain group patients (n=50, median: 424g) (p=