Effects of early discharge from hospital after surgery for primary breast cancer,
Boman L, Björvell H, Cedermark G, Theve N O, Wilking N.
Department of Internal Medicine, Karolinska Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
Eur J Surg 159: 67-73, 1993
- Open study with self-selected patients
- Of 169 patients participated, 24% chose early discharge with the drain (Exudrain™) still in place and 76% were discharged after removal of drain
- The length of stay in hospital, complications and satisfaction among patients were compared between the groups
Results
- The median stay in hospital for those who chose early discharge was 2 days, and for those who stayed until the drain was removed was 6 days.
- There were no differences in complications between the groups and they were equally satisfied
The patients who chose to leave hospital with Exudrain™ in place were equally satisfied with the treatment, and did not have any more complications than the patients who stayed until the drain was removed. According to the authors, patients need to be evaluated individually with regards to time of discharge and the need for emotional support after the operation.
The satisfaction and savings of early discharge with drain in situ following axillary lymphadenectomy in the treatment of breast cancer.
Holcombe C, West N, Mansel RE, Horgan K.
University Department of Surgery, University of Wales College of Medicine, Cardiff, UK.
Eur J Surg Oncol 1995 Dec;21(6):604-6
39 patients were discharged early after axillary lymphadenectomy after accepting the offer of early discharge with the axillary drain (Exudrain™) in situ, 10 patients left the hospital later with the drain, and 47 patients stayed in hospital until the drain was removed
;Drainage volume, mean hospital stay, complications, and satisfaction among patients were evaluated
Results
The median postoperative stay was 3 days in the early discharge group compared to 8 days in the other group (p< 0,001),and the seroma formation was significantly reduced in the early discharge group.
;There was no difference in the complication rate
;Each patient that accepted the early discharge freed hospital beds up to 5 days