Objective: To investigate the preventive measures for subcutaneous fluid collection in breast cancer patients after surgery. Methods: The clinical data of 204 breast cancer patients undergoing mastectomy from January 2007 to January 2012 were retrospectively analyzed. Of the patients, 106 cases (modified procedure group) underwent procedures that included the routine axillary lymph node dissection (ALND), lymph vessel ligation, fixation of the skin flaps to the chest wall, and placement of two drainage tubes for continuous vacuum suction; 98 cases (control group) received traditional procedures, namely the routine ALND, placement of one drainage tube and vacuum suction. The incidences of subcutaneous fluid collection of the two groups after surgery were observed and compared. Results: Nine case (8.5%) in modified procedure group and 21 cases (21.4%) in control group developed subcutaneous fluid collection, respectively; the incidence of subcutaneous fluid collection in modified procedure group was significantly lower than that of control group (χ2=6.796, P<0.05). Complete resolution of the subcutaneous fluid collections in all of the patients was achieved by appropriate managements such as puncture tapping, and drainage tube position adjustment or replacement. Conclusion: The modified surgical procedure can decrease the incidence of subcutaneous fluid collection in breast cancer patients after surgery and with no additional surgical difficulty, so its use is recommended.