Innovative postoperative bra for patients with drains following breast surgery

BACKGROUND Drains help to reduce seroma and haematoma formation following breast and axillary operations. Though the use of drains have decreased after routine mastectomy or axillary clearance operations, drains are still required after breast reconstruction and some oncoplastic breast procedures. Increasingly, patients are discharged home with the drains in situ with the plan for drain removal a few days following surgery. However, many patients find it difficult to manage the drains at home, often resulting in pulling the drain out inadvertently. Some patients find it uncomfortable and intrusive carrying a drainage bottle in front of other people.