How Long is It Possible for my Breast to Drain?

asked 1 year ago by Jackson1958 in Jackson, MS
Latest answer by Steven Turkeltaub, MD
Question viewed 415 times
Tags: drainage, wait

Dec. 20th I had reconstruction. It has been almost 10 years since my mastectomy, radiation, and chemo. He put an expander in (took the implant out that had been contracted in the breast), did a latissimus flap with skin graft. The graft did not take and Dec 29 it was removed and the incision restitched. The breast drain tube fell out; Jan 17 I went back into surgery to reinsert the drain. For 53 days I have been confined to bed @ a 45* angle. How much longer can this go on. Draining 31 ml

10 answers to How Long is It Possible for my Breast to Drain?

Persistent draiing?

This a long time and an infected implant needs to be considered. Have there been any cultures and have you been on antibiotics? i would suggest a second opinion.

Robert D. Goldstein, MD
Bronx Plastic Surgeon

Persistent draiing?

To have this much output for so long is a bit unusual. Has the fluid been cultured? What studies have you had done? You probably need to get a second opinion

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

How long to leave breast drain?

This all sounds very odd. The latissimus dorsi flap is usually harvested with an overlying skin paddle and a skin graft is not needed. Unless there were problems closing the wound on the back and a skin graft was placed on your back? In my practice, I use drains to remove any blood that may be around and so rarely leave them more than 7 days. There may be persistent fluid drainage, but it is usually serous fluid (yellow, straw coloured fluid rather than red... more

Jonathan J Staiano, MBBS
Birmingham Plastic Surgeon

Breast reconstruction

Latismus Dorsi with skin graft?????? Draining fro the back where the latismus dorsi muscle is taken can drain for long time, But 53 days????????? Cosult another plastic surgeon. The pocket where the drainage is might have to be explored, make sure you have not a low grade infection and remove the inflamatory capsule, suture the undersurface and redrain.

Samir Shureih, MD
Baltimore Plastic Surgeon

Prolonged drainage following latissimus dorsi breast reconstruction

You have been provided with excellent information by all the responding plastic surgeons showing quite a consensus of opinion. Having the drainage tube in for 53 days is extremely long and most of the time would indicate a problem such as a low grade infection. The fluid needs to be culture. You also should obtain at least 1 or 2 outside opinions from reputable board certified plastic surgeons. Finally, there is really no reason that you must remain essentially bedridden during this... more

Steven Turkeltaub, MD
Scottsdale Plastic Surgeon

Drainage after LD flap

I agree with my colleagues. It is normal to have drainage after LD flap. However, it is unusual to have the drain for 54 days. I would make sure that you do not have underlying infection/bacterial colonization. Please talk with your plastic surgeon or have a second opinion with another plastic surgeon.

Sugene Kim, MD
Houston Plastic Surgeon

www.drkimplasticsurgery.com

Breast reconstruction

The drains can stay in a long time especially after a latissimus flap. Although 2 months is very long. There are some procedure that can be done to try an stop the drainage either in the office of the operating room.

David L. Abramson, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

Complicated Breast Reconstruction - Need a Second Opinion

Regarding: "How Long is It Possible for my Breast to Drain? Dec. 20th I had reconstruction. It has been almost 10 years since my mastectomy, radiation, and chemo. He put an expander in (took the implant out that had been contracted in the breast), did a latissimus flap with skin graft. The graft did not take and Dec 29 it was removed and the incision restitched. The breast drain tube fell out; Jan 17 I went back into surgery to reinsert the drain. For 53 days I have been confined... more

Peter A. Aldea, MD
Memphis Plastic Surgeon

Drainage after reconstructive breast surgery

I agree with the other Plastic surgeons. You should ask these questions to your Plastic Surgeon, and get a second opinion from another Plastic Surgeon. Not only should the drainage fluid be cultured, but it should also be checked to see if may be lymphatic fluid. In any case, this drainage has gone on for far too long.