Suction Drains for Breast Augmentation Revision

Hi doctors. What are your thoughts of using drains for breast augmentation revisions? My PS is about to perform a capsulorrhaphy on me along with making the pocket larger.

Do you think drains should be used afterwards? What are the pros and cons with suction drains? I am concerned about the increase risk of infection. Will the drains help lessen the formation of scar tissues? Many thanks for your advice in advance.

Tags:

infection drains pros and cons

Comment on this

11 Doctor Answers | Asked by imadvice in New York

Doctor Answers (11)
Community Comments (0)

Drains for revision breast surgery

It is usually safer to use a drain for complex revisional breast surgery when a complete capsulectomy is performed. The large area that must heal may produce fluid inside the breast cavity. The fluid that collects in the breast after surgery could be difficult to drain with just a needle without endangering the implant. The infection risk from a drain increases over time, so the drain should typically be removed as soon as the output is low enough that the body can handle the fluid on... more

Use of drains in breast augmentation revision surgery

The use of drains vary by surgeon, In most instances of mastectomy and reconstruction, drains tend to be unversally utilized. In situtations of infection or bleeding or previous fluid collections such as a seroma where drainage is anticipated, drains will be placed. However, they are not commonly utilized in primary uncomplicated breast augmentation

Otto Joseph Placik, MD

32 reviews

Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Drains and implants

Drains are sometimes used on primary (the first) breast augmentation procedure by different doctors. Sometimes I will use them on patients that I have to remove a capsule. These are often more involved procedures and can induce more bleeding and fluid collection.

Steven Wallach, MD

12 reviews

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Base upon findings at the time of surgery and experience of the surgeon

There is no clear answer for the question of when to use a drain. I personally use a drain when needed. If there is excessive bleeding or a difficult dissection then a drain is useful. A drain is not totally without problems and complications can arise from using them. But in many instances they are a necessary evil. Surgical experience is the rule.

It seems that you don't trust your doctor.

Hi. Based on the various questions you have been asking, I would recommend re-examining your relationship with your surgeon. Don't second guess him. You have to have complete confidence in your surgeon. Drains are great, by the way.

More pros than cons for a drain in your case

I used to routinely use drains for primary breast augmentations, and pretty much stopped that practice years ago. However, in a revision like you described, I would tend to use a drain, but the final decision would be based on your surgeon's judgement at the time of the surgery. While a drain is a "two way street" I think the chance of an infection from a very temporary drain is remote. Good luck.

When in doubt, drain.

Although many surgeons, including myself, do not drain the breast after routine breast augmentation, revisions may incur more bleeding especially if capsulectomies are performed. However, capsulorrhaphies by themsleves may not require capsulectomies and may not produce much blood loss. Your surgeon will determine the advantages and disadvantages of drains. Risk of injection with the use of drains is very rare and usually occur the longer you leave them in. If you leave them in a long... more

Robin T.W. Yuan, MD

4 reviews

Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

You need drains

Having done an extensive amount of revisionary breast surgery, I can tell you that capsulectomy patients DRAIN serous fluid and need drains for at least a week until the volume is less than 25 cc per day. You do not want a seroma around your new impants as these are difficult to drain without potential harm to the implant and if left undrained, they can increase your recurrent capsular contracture rates. I never use them in primary augmentations but almost always do in secondary cases... more

Yes for breast augmentation revisions

Hello We do not routinely use drains in our primary breast augmentations. However, for breast revisions we tell our patients that there is at least a 50% chance they will need a suction drain. Many revisions are done for capsular contracture. Although the causes of capsular contracture are not known, some people believe that hematomas or significant blood in the pocket can contribute to a contracture. Because of that, we prefer to make sure that there is as little blood as possible left... more

Drain Usage For Breast Implants

Thanks for the great question - You're going to get some variability on answers on this one. There are pros and cons to drain usage. The pros are they are an effective way to remove accumulating fluid at operative sites. The cons are they create extra scar, they can be a conduit for bacteria which can lead to infection and can be uncomfortable. In our San Francisco area practice we do not use drains for primary breast augmentation as I feel the fluid accumulation is small and self... more

Drains for breast augmentation are necesary

It is difficult to make statements that apply to all patients. However, revision breast surgery where capsulectomies are being performed are almost always drained due to the increased risk of seroma and bleeding. Draining this fluid reduces your chances of an infection and of getting further scarring in the capsule. Your surgeon seems to be thinking along the right track! Good luck.