Early discharge after mastectomy: a safe alternative to the standard duration of postoperative hospital confinement

ABSTRACT

Objective: To determine if early discharge after mastectomy is a safe alternative to the standard duration of postoperative hospital confinement. Methods: This is a review of breast cancer patients who were discharged early after mastectomy consulting at the breast center at the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center from May 2007-May 2010. The following variables were recorded date of surgery, date of discharge, presence of surgical site morbidities such as infection, dehiscence, necrosis and significant pain, date of 1st drain removal, date of 2nd drain removal, presence of seroma, application of elastic bandage. Results: Of the 60 patients 43 (71.7%) were from CVGH Breast Specialty Clinic and 17 (28.3%) from VSMMC Breast Clinic. There were 9 patients (15%) who developed surgical site morbidities, namely infection -3 (5.0%), minimal partial wound dehiscence -4 (6.7%), superficial skin necrosis -2 (3.3%). No patient complained of significant pain on follow-up. The first drain was removed within a mean of 6 days. The second drain was removed a mean of 7 days. Fifteen patients (25%) developed seroma. There was no readmission due to morbidities. Conclusion: Early discharge after mastectomy is a safe alternative to the standard duration of postoperative hospital confinement. Key words mastectomy, postoperative pain