ObjectiveTo explore the efficacy of thrombin in treatment of subcutaneous effusion after radical resection of breast cancer. MethodsOne hundred and ninety patients underwent radical resection of breast cancer from July 2008 to July 2013 in this hospital were divided into postoperative observation group and postoperative control group according to the operation time. A daily injection of thrombin by drainage tube was performed on day 3 after operation in the postoperative observation group, the negative pressure drainage only was performed in the postoperative control group. The drainage volume in 72 h after operation, time of extubation, cases of subcutaneous effusion were counted after operation. Then the patients with subcutaneous effusion were divided into subcutaneous effusion observation group and subcutaneous effusion control group according to the time of extubation, the thrombin was injected into cavity after pumping subcutaneous effusion with pressing and dressing in the subcutaneous effusion observation group and only pressed after pumping subcutaneous effusion in the subcutaneous effusion control group, respectively. The healing time of subcutaneous effusion was counted in these two groups. ResultsCompared with the postoperative control group, the drainage volume in 72 h after operation was less(P < 0.001), the time of extubation was earlier(P < 0.001), the rate of subcutaneous effusion was lower(P < 0.05), color of drainage fluid on day 2 after mastectomy was lighter(P < 0.001)in the postoperative observation group. Compared with subcutaneous effusion control group, when subcutaneous effusion was 20-50 mL or > 50 mL, the healing time of subcutaneous effusion was significantly shorter in the subcutaneous effusion observation group(P < 0.05). ConclusionsInjecting thrombin by drainage tube after operation can reduce the drainage volume, decrease the rate of subcutaneous liquid, and shorten the time of extubation. Injecting thrombin into cavity of subcutaneous liquid can shorten the healing time of patients with middle and large subcutaneous effusions after radical resection of breast cancer.