How Comfortable or Uncomfortable Are the Drains Used for Breast Reduction?

I disagree with some of my colleagues. I routinely use drains in breast reduction surgery and have performed approximately 1500 such procedures. The purpose of the drains is to prevent accumulation of serous fluid which could otherwise disrupt the surgical scar, which would then create an open wound which would have to close secondarily. The drains are not uncomfortable and they are removed in the office easily several days after the procedure. I find that patients have tremendous trepidation about the drains which they later say was unfounded. Let me note that many patients come to me because of my expertise with large reductions and that the greater the extent of the surgery, the more likely it is that drains will be required.

The use of drains for breast reduction surgery is variable from plastic surgeon to plastic surgeon, so I believe their use may not be as important as was once thought.

In most cases, I still use soft suction drains and remove them after a few days, as I see advantages to removing the tissue fluid and/or blood that might accumulate.

These drains are not painful and slide out easily and with minimal discomfort when they are removed.