Necessity of suction drains in gynecomastia surgery.

BACKGROUND

The aim of gynecomastia surgery is to restore a normal chest contour with minimal signs of breast surgery.

OBJECTIVE

The authors examine the rate of complications in gynecomastia surgery when no closed-suction drains are placed.

METHODS

One hundred thirty-eight consecutive male patients who underwent gynecomastia surgery without drains were retrospectively analyzed to determine whether the absence of drains adversely affected patient outcomes. Patients were managed by ultrasonic-assisted liposuction both with and without the pull-through technique.

RESULTS

The mean age of the patients was 29 years, and the mean volume of breast tissue aspirated was 350 mL per beast. Pull-through was needed in 23 cases. There was only 1 postoperative hematoma.

CONCLUSIONS

These results are comparable with previously published data for gynecomastia surgery in which drains were placed, suggesting that the absence of drains does not adversely affect postoperative recovery. Routine closed-suction drainage after gynecomastia surgery is unnecessary, and it may be appropriate to omit drains after gynecomastia surgery.