Ambulatory surgery for breast cancer

DEFINITIVE SURGERY for patients with breast cancer has traditionally been performed on an inpatient basis with an average hospital stay of 1 to 2 weeks. The development of dosed-suction drains and the more frequent use of breast-conserving procedures has simplified the surgical treatment of patients. The current practice of 'early discharge' or 'short-stay programs' for patients after breast surgery has been shown to be safe without an increase in complications of delayed hospital admissions. This practice has been widely accepted by patients and physicians and allows for more cost- effective treatment of patients. The recovery phase has been shifted to the home environment where friends and family are actively involved in the postoperative care.