Drainage Tube Fell out 3 Days After Breast Reduction

I would recommend you contact your surgeon about the situation. Some surgeons place drains for breast reductions that stay in for a few days after surgery. You want to make sure the entire drainage tube is removed so there is not a retained plastic component in your body. You should also monitor the area for any signs of fluid buildup (like swelling or a seroma), which may require attention. Your surgeon can provide specific guidance and check for any potential issues that could arise from the drain coming out prematurely. Our practice does not use drainage tubes for the majority of breast reductions.
Krishna Vyas, MD, PhD, MHS
Harvard, Hopkins, and Mayo Clinic Trained
Aesthetic Plastic Surgeon
New York, New York

Thank you for your question.
This requires a call to your surgeon. Drains are in place for a reason. Reach out to your surgeon for guidance. Best wishes!

Although many physicians do not drain breast reductions the inadvertent loss of a drainage tube by the third day will usually not cause any effect in the long term result.  This has happened to many patients and surgeons with no consequences.

The use of drainage tubes in breast reduction is somewhat controsversial. I frequently remove these at the first visit without any problem. Notify your surgeon, but it is likely he/she will do nothing other than observe.

Most doctors do not use drains at all for their breast reductions in our community.

However, it is always best to keep your surgeon posted immediately whenever a question arises.  Only he knows exactly what happened during your surgery.  there may have been a very good reason to place the drains, and you might need drainage of fluid, monitoring for infection, etc.

Drainage tubes are not always used for breast reduction and often are removed in 1-3 days anyway, so if a tube came out on its own it is not a serious problem.  Typically, the tube is held in with a stitch to prevent it from "falling out", but occasionally the stitch can break.

I would not worry about the drainage tube falling out. I personally never used or use drainage tubes for breast reductions, augmentations or lifts. I would let your surgeon know about it though. Good luck with your healing.

Inadvertent drain removal will not necessarily require any intervention or cause any adverse affects. Close follow-up with your plastic surgeon is indicated.

Best wishes.

There is always a risk that a drain fell out on its own, this could possibly increase your risk for a seroma but I would just keep an eye on it with your surgeon.

Having been in practice very many years we have seen a gradual shift away from drains after breast reduction. Perhaps fifteen years ago we used an overnight drain that we removed with the the first dressing. Over the past ten years we have not placed drain tubes in our breast reduction patients and both we and the patients have been happier. If your drain fell out after three days you should have no problems. Check with your surgeon to make sure that the complete drain and any drain suture is out as well.
Best of luck,
peterejohnsonmd