To investigate the clinical value of a modified vacuum sealing drainage (VSD) device in axillary drainage after modified radical mastectomy for breast cancer.

A total of 108 patients who underwent modified radical mastectomy for breast cancer from January 2021 to December 2023 were prospectively enrolled. Using a block randomization method, independent statisticians generated random sequences via SPSS 25.0 to allocate patients at a 1:1 ratio into a modified group and a control group, with 54 patients in each group. The modified group received drainage using the modified VSD device, while the control group received drainage using a traditional silicone negative pressure drainage ball. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 25.0. Enumeration data such as tumor location were expressed as [cases (%)], and intergroup comparisons were conducted using the χ² test or Fisher’s exact probability method. Measurement data conforming to normal distribution, such as shoulder joint mobility, were described by (±s), and independent sample t tests were used. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant.

The ranges of motion for postoperative shoulder joint flexion, abduction, adduction, and extension in the modified group were significantly better than those in the control group (P<0.05). The extubation time, total drainage volume, and drainage tube blockage rate in the modified group were significantly lower than those in the control group, while the first-class wound healing rate was significantly higher (P<0.05). The total incidence of complications in the modified group (5.6%) was significantly lower than that in the control group (18.5%) (P<0.05).

In the clinical application of axillary drainage after modified radical mastectomy for breast cancer, the modified VSD device has achieved favorable clinical effects. It not only significantly improves shoulder joint mobility and the first-class wound healing rate but also significantly shortens the indwelling catheter days, reduces the total drainage volume, and decreases the drainage tube blockage rate and the total incidence of complications, demonstrating high clinical application value.