After breast surgery – mastectomy – wound drains are placed in the wound to remove blood, secretions and other tissue fluids to promote healing. This is usually 1-2 weeks after surgery, but may in some cases be longer.
After a few days only the drain in the axilla is needed. This drain remains until the volume drained is less than 20-50 mls per day.
Many patients feel well enough after the first drain is removed by the surgeon, to allow them to continue their recovery at home with the axilla drain still in place. The wound and the drain are then regularly checked by the home care/community nurse who is in direct contact with the Breast Care Nurse at the hospital. With a safe and easy to handle drain like Exudrain the patient can care for the daily routine herself while the home care/community nurse checks and helps as needed.
Early discharge with Exudrain has been evaluated in several studies with favourable results.