Do You Need to Have Drains for Breast Explantation?

To use drains or not really depends upon the situtation and wheter I anticipate alot of fluid collecting in the dead space.

I have generally trended away from the use of drains. If performing a capsulectomy, I believe the rau tissues are more "sticky" and in existing capsules which are left in place, I beileive the prolonged drainage may cause the drains to remain in place for a longer period of time than is necessary.

If all you are doing is taking out the implants, I don't use a drain but if I am removing the capsule too, I will use them because the patients will heal better without a fluid collection in the pocket.

No, drains are usually not needed for breast implant removal surgery.  They are often used if the urgeon feels that fluid acclumulation is likely, such as when a breast implant capsule excision is done, or if the implants were removed to treat an infection.

Drains are placed after some breast operations in order to collect any fluid that may accummulate. They also help to close down what is known as "surgical dead space." Dead space is the area where the implants previously lived before being removed. Whether or not the capsule is removed, there is a large space that needs to close down again once breast implants are removed. Placing a drain helps to facilitate that process.

It may not be necessary to receive drains when performing a breast implant exchange. However, if you are not receiving a new set of implants or a breast lift the initial pocket may extremely fluid and may cause a hematoma, seroma, or create an environment for an infection. In this case, your plastic surgeon may recommend the use of drains to completely decompress this pocket until it has healed.  

I generally use drains very conservatively. That being said when there is a significant capsulectomy at the time of implant removal I always use drains. There is a significant "dead space" after implant removal which is a set up for a hematoma or seroma. If new implant are placed and the procedure is fairly dry I would consider not placing drains.

I usually use drains on breast redo's espcecially if the capsule is removed. It will help evcuate fluid and speed your recovery. They don't stay in long, just a few days. I place them in the armpit so that they are hidden and I place them in such a way that it's not uncomfortabel to remove them. Hope this helps.

I guess it depends on how long your implants have been in. If they have been in long enough to allow a capsule to form (a feww months) a drain will help the capsule heal down on itself and hopefully prevent fluid from collecting requiring treatment. Some plastic surgeons will have their own thoughts so discuss this with your plastic surgeon. Best of luck. Dr Edwards