Postoperative Showering for Patients With Closed Suction Drainage: A Retrospective Cohort Study of Deep Inferior Epigastric Perforator Flap Breast Reconstructions

Abstract

Background The deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap has been widely used in breast reconstruction. During surgery, many surgeons use closed suction drainage for both the donor site and the reconstructed breast. However, the criteria for drainage removal depend on the surgeon's preference and remain controversial. Moreover, it is well known that early postoperative showering is harmless to the surgical site and is recommended in many reports. However, it has not been discussed whether it is acceptable for patients with closed suction drainage to take a shower. Methodology We conducted a retrospective study of postoperative showering in 30 patients who underwent breast reconstruction with a DIEP flap. During the surgery, a total of three closed suction drains were connected to the patient's body (one was connected to the reconstructed breast, and the other two were connected to the abdominal donor site). After the surgery, patients were allowed to shower when the number of connected drainage tubes was