An audit of breast reduction without drains

Fifty consecutive patients who underwent breast reduction have been audited to determine whether or not using drains adversely affected their outcome. The mean age of the patients was 32 years and the mean mass of breast tissue excised was 750 g. There were two early complications (within 30 days postoperatively): one seroma and one minor wound dehiscence. Both were dealt with on an outpatient basis. There was one late complication of a breast abscess 6 weeks postoperatively. These results are comparable with previously published series of breast reduction surgery using wound drainage, suggesting that the absence of drains does not adversely affect postoperative recovery. (C) 1999 The British Association of Plastic Surgeons.