Predictors for Prolonged Drain Use Following Autologous Breast Reconstruction

Background Surgical drains are routinely used following autologous reconstruction, but are often cited as the leading cause of peri-operative discomfort. This study defined routine drain use duration and assessed the risk factors for prolonged breast and abdominal drain use during microvascular breast reconstruction, measures which have never previously been defined. Methods Patients who underwent an abdominal microvascular free flap were included. Demographics, comorbidities, and operation-related characteristics were retrospectively collected in a prospectively maintained database. Statistical analysis utilized chi-square independent t -test, and linear regression analyses. Results One hundred forty-nine patients comprising 233 breast flaps were included. Average breast and abdominal drain duration were 12.93.9 and 17.7 +/- 8.2 days, respectively. Prolonged breast and abdominal drain duration were defined as drain use beyond the 75 (th) percentile at 14 and 19 days, respectively. Multivariable regression revealed hypertension was associated with an increased breast drain duration by 1.4 days ( p =0.024), axillary dissection with 1.7 days ( p =0.026), African-American race with 3.1 days ( p <0.001), Hispanic race with 1.6 days ( p =0.029), return to the OR with 3.2 days ( p =0.004), and each point increase in BMI with 0.1 days ( p =0.028). For abdominal drains, each point increase in BMI was associated with an increased abdominal drain duration by 0.3 days ( p =0.011), infection with 14.4 days ( p <0.001), and return to the OR with 5.7 days ( p =0.007). Conclusion Elevated BMI, hypertension, and axillary dissection increase risk for prolonged breast drain requirement in autologous reconstruction. African-American and Hispanic populations experience prolonged breast drain requirement after controlling for other factors, warranting further study.