THE EVOLUTION OF BREAST SURGERY PATIENTS IN THE USE OF ASPIRATIVE DRAINS

Abstract

This exploratory, descriptive study aimed to identify the principal difficulties which patients experienced in handling the aspiration drainage system at home. The study was carried out in an oncology reference hospital in the city of Curitiba, Brazil, between September and November 2008, with 43 patients who had had breast surgery and who were using suction drains. Data collection was from individual interviews and the nurses’ clinical evaluation of the patients’ first post-operative check-up visit to their doctor. The data was quantified and analysed by simple absolute frequency. It was ascertained that 61% stated that they did not have difficulties in using the drain; of these people, 42% had their drains cared for by families or friends. Self-care is part of the process of the women’s recuperation in the post-operative period. This being so, the study emphasizes the role of the nursing professional in giving post-surgery advice, to reduce the risk of complications and assist recuperation.

Keywords

• Breast cancer
• Mastectomy
• Nursing care