Abstract: Objective To investigate the efficacy and safety of pneumatic pump in improving subcutaneous effusion after modified radical mastectomy for breast cancer. Methods From February 2018 to February 2022, 64 cases of patients with postoperative subcutaneous effusion after modified radical surgery for breast cancer were selected as the study subjects. Accorded to the principle of random envelope drawing, the patients were divided into the pneumatic pump group of 32 cases and the control group of 32 cases. The control group were treated with conventional methods such as chest band compression bandage, limb function exercise, and the air pump group were treated with air pump therapy machine on the basis of the control group. Both groups were treated and observed for 14 days, and recorded the excellent and good rate of curative effect, subcutaneous fluid accumulation and subcutaneous drainage flow of the two groups, and determine the score of the Disability of Arm Shoulder and Hand (DASH) and quality of life score. Results The excellent efficacy rate of the pneumatic pump group was higher than that in the control group, but there was no difference (P>0.05). The volume of subcutaneous fluid accumulation and subcutaneous drainage volume in the air pump group were significantly lower than those in the control group (P<0.05). The DASH upper limb function score in the air pump group and the control group after treatment were significantly higher than that before treatment (P<0.05), and the DASH upper limb function score in the air pump group after treatment were higher than that in the control group (P<0.05). The life quality scores of physiology, society/family, emotion, function and additional attention in the air pump group after treatment were significantly higher than those in the control group (P<0.05). Conclusion The pneumatic pump therapy can reduce the subcutaneous fluid volume and subcutaneous drainage volume of patients with subcutaneous fluid after modified radical mastectomy for breast cancer, improve the overall treatment effect of patients, and also improve the upper limb function and overall quality of life of patients, with good application effects.

Key words: pneumatic pump therapy machine, breast cancer, modified radical operation, subcutaneous hydrops, upper limb function, quality of life