A comparison between suction and corrugated drainage after simple mastectomy: a report of a controlled trial.

A randomized prospective trial of closed suction wound drainage compared with corrugated wound drainage after simple mastectomy for early breast cancer (lesion confined to the breast and without skin ulceration) is reported. Fifty-one patients were admitted to the study and there was no difference between the two groups with respect to local complications such as ifection, skin necrosis and collection under flaps and wound healing. Dressings require to be performed significantly less frequently with suction as opposed to corrugated drainage and suction drains were removed significantly sooner than corrugated drains. It is concluded that closed suction wound drainage should be used after simple mastectomy.