Breast reduction-Drains vs No Drains

Thanks for this question.I dont think that drains need to be used in routine breast reduction surgery. If there are specific issues that arise during the surgery i.e. excessive bleeding or an unusual percentage of breast tissue, then drains should be used.

This will really depend on your surgeon preference. Most do not routinely use drains but rather individualize the use of drains in breast reduction. I have not used drains for more than 20 years without problems#breastreduction #plasticsurgery #JPdrains

The decision to use drains varies from one surgeon to another and may vary from patient to patient. If your surgeon thinks drains will help you heal faster and better, go with it. They are really not a big deal and not difficult to manage.

The use of drains in breast reduction comes down to the Doctors training, experience and preference.... You will find various opinions about which is better, but both are practiced.  

Most breast reduction surgeries do not, in my opinion, require drains. Over the years fewer and fewer surgeons are placing drains for breast reduction on a routine basis. Nevertheless, in some situations drains may certainly be useful. This decision is made on a case-by-case basis.

Great question. Drains in breast reduction surgery used to be standard many years ago.  With improvement in surgical technique and instrumentation e.g. electrocautery, many of the breast lymphatics and small vessels that used to ooze after surgery tend to do so a lot less now.  This has obviated the necessity for drains for many surgeons, including myself.  Most patients prefer not to have drains, so find someone with whom you see eye to eye regarding all aspects of your surgery, including drain use, before you have your procedure (if you haven't already).

Some surgeons drain breast reductions, and others do not. It is a matter of preference and technique.

There is a judgement call at the end of the breast reduction. Some surgeons use drains routinely and others do not. We try to avoid drains in breast reductions and also in tummy tucks.  Have a discussion with your surgeon. It is more important to focus on the result than on the drain, which stays in for a day or two. In the end, you want an excellent result  whether a drain was used or not.  Best wishes. 

There are a few instances when drains are needed following breast reduction.  If liposuction is performed in the lateral aspect of the breast/axilla to improve lateral contour of the breasts, a drain should be used.  Also, if tumescent fluid is used intraoperatively to the breasts, drains should be used.  Many plastic surgeons do not do either of the above, so they often will not use drains (and this is supported in the literature on breast reduction).I personally use drains in all of my breast reductions because I do use tumescent fluid in my reduction cases.  I feel that this limits blood loss during surgery (because of the epinephrine in the tumescent fluid) and I strongly feel that my patients wake up with less pain due to the use of lidocaine in the tumescent fluid.  I hope this is helpful.  For more information on breast reduction, please visit the link below. 

I feel that placement of drains is a personal preference for most surgeons. I always place drains in my breast reduction patients. One of the biggest complications in breast reduction surgery is the formation of a hematoma (blood clot) in the breast tissue. Although it is not very common, it can be detrimental to not only the contour of the breast but it can also compromise the blood flow to the nipple-areolar complex which is repositioned during the surgery. For this reason placing a drain can allow for blood to not accumulate in the breast tissue but instead go into the drain bulbs. I usually remove the drains 2-3 days post-operatively unless the output is high. Again like most other concerns on this forum be sure to consult with your surgeon and seek only board certified plastic surgeons for both advice and treatment.