title: Necessity of suction drains in gynecomastia surgery.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Plastic and Aesthetic Surgery Department, Istanbul Medipol University, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Mustafa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Keskin
authors.forename: Mustafa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sutcu
authors.forename: Bulent
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Cigsar
authors.forename: Naci
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Karacaoglan
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D058128:Compression Bandages; D004322:Drainage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation*; D006177:Gynecomastia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D006406:Hematoma / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D015187:Lipectomy / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D016462:Mammaplasty / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013396:Suction; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D019564:Unnecessary Procedures; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: breast surgery; complications; drains; gynecomastia; hematoma; suction