Drainage Post- Capsulectomy on One Breast

Question

with drain for 7 days. drained 25 cc for the past 2 days from 1 breast only. is this still a lot? what is the cut-off for drainage, and how long can a drain stay?

Lewis Albert Andres, MD · Answer

Hello! Thank you for your question!  It is a matter of surgeon 
preference as well as what is seen during your procedure that will 
determine whether or not a complete capsulectomy is performed. If 
significant capsule formation is seen intraoperatively, a full capsule 
removal may be warranted with a drain in order to completely remove all 
of the tissue and allow better adherence of your breast back to its 
normal anatomic position down on your chest wall. If minimal contracture
 is seen, it may be possible to leave the capsule, or place cuts within 
the capsule to allow better adherence. It truly is dependent on what is 
seen with your capsule and the issues that may be causing you to have 
such a procedure (e.g., contracture from ruptured implant vs pain vs 
simple pocket adjustment, etc).  Implants mayor may not be replaced depending on your discussion and reason for capsulectomy.   Drains will usually be removed when less than 30cc/day.  Typically they stay for as long as needed.  It is not uncommon to have such drainage after a complete capsulectomy.Without
 knowing your issues and
 without an examination, it is difficult to tell you what may be the 
best thing for you. I tend to favor performing capsulectomies (in an en 
bloc fashion) in order 
to create a fresh pocket, reshape the pocket, allow better shape and 
adherence of the overlying breast. I would discuss your issues with your
 plastic surgeon who will assist you in determining the right modality 
for you. Most patients tolerate this procedure very well with minimal 
downtime.  It is typically an outpatient procedure with most being able 
to resume activities within a few days along with restrictions for a 
week or so.  Many surgeons will recommend a postoperative garment for 
several weeks postop as well.  Hope that this helps! Best wishes!

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

Thank you for the question.

	Drains are commonly used after capsulectomy. Removal of the drains will vary from one practitioner to another;  it is a judgment call made by the surgeon who knows your situation best.

	Best wishes.

Adam Hamawy, MD · Answer

Placing a drain after a breast capsulotomy is common.  Although there is no standard amount in which surgeons decide to pull a drain, most will do so after it's draining less than 25 or 30 ml/day.   Individual surgeons may modify that based on specific findings during surgery.

	It is fair to ask your surgeon when he or she is planning on pulling it out and what daily output they are comfortable with.   You also have an idea of how much is too much so that you know to call your surgeon if a problem should develop.

Peter A. Aldea, MD · Answer

Having had at least one Capsular Contracture complicating your breast Augmentation which required surgical removal of the scar and releasing its squeezing of the implant I can understand why you would want everything to go well after the scar removal. We usually put a drain in in surgery when we anticipate the body will produced fluid which may either get infected or prevent the walls of the wound from coming together and healing. As long as fluid is coming out at a certain daily volume, it is best to leave the drain in. When the volume falls beyond a certain number the drain can be removed. The volume of drainage at which a Plastic surgeon would remove his drains VARIES widely and is based on the surgeon's experience and preference; it is the ART of practicing Medicine.  If I were your surgeon I would be VERY unhappy to find out you were shopping for advice on-line and second guessing my treatment. Please, call your surgeon and ask him when he would like to remove the drain.

	Dr. Peter A Aldea

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

Every doctor has different criteria for drain removal. I usualy wait until it is less than 30 cc/24 hours.  You should just check with your doctor.

Drainage Post- Capsulectomy on One Breast

Answers (7)

Answer: How Soon can I have my drain out Post- Capsulectomy (Implant Scar Removal)?

Answer: How Soon can I have my drain out Post- Capsulectomy (Implant Scar Removal)?

Answer: Drain removal

Answer: Drain removal

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Breast Implant Revision

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.

Drainage Post- Capsulectomy on One Breast

Answers (7)

Answer: How Soon can I have my drain out Post- Capsulectomy (Implant Scar Removal)?

Answer: How Soon can I have my drain out Post- Capsulectomy (Implant Scar Removal)?

Answer: Drain removal

Answer: Drain removal

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Breast Implant Revision

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.