The effect of hemovac drain use on postoperative pain and patient satisfaction in primary aesthetic breast augmentation: A retrospective comparative study
Abstract
Background: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of hemovac drain use on postoperative pain and patient satisfaction in patients undergoing primary aesthetic breast augmentation.
Materials and Methods: This retrospective single-centre study included 53 patients who underwent bilateral primary aesthetic breast augmentation between January 2024 and May 2026. Patients were divided into non-drain (n=41) and hemovac drain (n=12) groups. Postoperative pain was assessed using the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS). Long-term outcomes were analysed using the Utrecht Questionnaire (UQ), adapted for breast augmentation patients, and overall satisfaction scores.
Results: The groups were comparable in terms of age, implant volume, body weight, and body mass index (all p>0.05). On postoperative day 1, right- and left-sided NRS scores were significantly higher in the hemovac drain group [right: 8.5 (8–9) vs 5 (4.5–7); left: 8 (8–9) vs 5 (5–7); both p<0.001]. However, no significant differences were observed between the groups regarding postoperative week 1 and month 1 NRS scores. UQ scores were similar between the groups at postoperative months 1 and 6 (p=0.225 and p=0.909, respectively). Although the overall satisfaction score was numerically higher in the non-drain group, the difference did not reach statistical significance [8 (7–9) vs 7 (7–8); p=0.087].
Conclusion: Patients with hemovac drains demonstrated higher early postoperative pain scores; however, this difference did not persist during subsequent follow-up evaluations. No significant differences were observed between the groups regarding long-term pain outcomes, UQ scores, or overall patient satisfaction. These findings support a selective rather than routine use of drains in primary aesthetic breast augmentation.
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References
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