Complete axillary dissection without drainage for the surgical treatment of breast cancer: a randomized clinical trial

Authors

  • Ruffo Freitas-Junior Universidade Federal de Goiás; School of Medicine; Breast Program, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics
  • Luís Fernando Jubé Ribeiro Goiás Anticancer Association; Hospital Araújo Jorge; Gynecology and Breast Unit
  • Marise Amaral Rebouças Moreira Universidade Federal de Goiás; School of Medicine; Department of Pathology
  • Geraldo Silva Queiroz Goiás Anticancer Association; Hospital Araújo Jorge; Gynecology and Breast Unit
  • Maurício Duarte Esperidião Goiás Anticancer Association; Hospital Araújo Jorge; Gynecology and Breast Unit
  • Marco Aurélio Costa Silva Goiás Anticancer Association; Hospital Araújo Jorge; Gynecology and Breast Unit
  • Rubens José Pereira Goiás Anticancer Association; Hospital Araújo Jorge; Gynecology and Breast Unit
  • Rossana Araújo Catão Zampronha Goiás Anticancer Association; Hospital Araújo Jorge; Gynecology and Breast Unit
  • Rosemar Macedo Sousa Rahal Universidade Federal de Goiás; School of Medicine; Breast Program, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics
  • Leonardo Ribeiro Soares Goiás Anticancer Association; Hospital Araújo Jorge; Gynecology and Breast Unit
  • Danielle Laperche dos Santos Goiás Anticancer Association; Hospital Araújo Jorge; Gynecology and Breast Unit
  • Maria Virginia Thomazini Universidade Federal de Goiás; School of Medicine; Breast Program, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics
  • Cassiana Ferreira Silva de Faria Universidade Federal de Goiás; School of Medicine; Breast Program, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics
  • Régis Resende Paulinelli Universidade Federal de Goiás; School of Medicine; Breast Program, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.6061/clinics/2017(07)07

Keywords:

Breast Cancer, Breast-conserving Surgery, Lymph Node Excision, Drainage, Postoperative Complications

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: This randomized clinical trial evaluated the possibility of not draining the axilla following axillary dissection. METHODS: The study included 240 breast cancer patients who underwent axillary dissection as part of conservative treatment. The patients were divided into two groups depending on whether or not they were subjected to axillary drainage. ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01267552. RESULTS: The median volume of fluid aspirated was significantly lower in the axillary drainage group (0.00 ml; 0.00 - 270.00) compared to the no drain group (522.50 ml; 130.00 - 1148.75). The median number of aspirations performed during conservative breast cancer treatment was significantly lower in the drainage group (0.5; 0.0 - 4.0) compared to the no drain group (5.0; 3.0 - 7.0). The total volume of serous fluid produced (the volume of fluid obtained from drainage added to the volume of aspirated fluid) was similar in the two groups. Regarding complications, two cases (2.4%) of wound dehiscence occurred in the drainage group compared to 13 cases (13.5%) in the group in which drainage was not performed, with this difference being statistically significant. Rates of infection, necrosis and hematoma were similar in both groups. CONCLUSION: Safety rates were similar in both study groups; hence, axillary dissection can feasibly be performed without drainage. However, more needle aspirations could be required, and there could be more cases of wound dehiscence in patients who do not undergo auxiliary drainage.

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Published

2017-07-01

Issue

Section

Clinical Sciences

How to Cite

Freitas-Junior, R., Ribeiro, L. F. J., Moreira, M. A. R., Queiroz, G. S., Esperidião, M. D., Silva, M. A. C., Pereira, R. J., Zampronha, R. A. C., Rahal, R. M. S., Soares, L. R., dos Santos, D. L., Thomazini, M. V., de Faria, C. F. S., & Paulinelli, R. R. (2017). Complete axillary dissection without drainage for the surgical treatment of breast cancer: a randomized clinical trial. Clinics, 72(7), 426-431. https://doi.org/10.6061/clinics/2017(07)07