[Should we drain after pre-pectoral breast implants? Analysis of a cohort of 400 patients operated for breast augmentation with pre-pectoral silicone implants].

[AIM OF THE STUDY] During breast augmentation, surgical drainage remains a source of debate. The objective of the study was to determine the interest of the drainage after pre-pectoral breast implants pre, analyzing the risk of hematoma and capsular contracture.

[PATIENTS AND METHODS] We retrospectively analyzed a cohort of 400 patients who underwent a first aesthetic breast augmentation by pre-pectoral silicone gel implants. Patients were followed with a maximum of nine years and a minimum of one year.

[RESULTS] The mean age of patients was 37 years (18-64). Ninety-two percent (368 cases) had no drainage (patients "low risk of bleeding") and 8% (32 cases) underwent a bilateral drainage (patients "high risk of bleeding"). We recorded 1.75% hematoma (7 cases) and 2% of capsular contracture (8 cases).

[CONCLUSION] We believe that the drainage should not be systematic for pre-pectoral breast implants. In patients at high risk of bleeding that we drained, it does not prevent the occurrence of a possible hematoma. In patients at low risk of bleeding that we have not drained, we do not observed more hematoma or capsular contracture than data published for drained patients.