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Soft fluted silicone drains: a prospective, randomized, patient-controlled study
Sukh S Rayatt1, Anne L Dancey, Wayne Jaffe
1Department of Plastic Surgery, University Hospital of North Staffordshire, Stoke-on-Trent, United Kingdom. sukhrayatt@yahoo.co.uk
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
|April 30, 2005
Summary
Soft fluted silicone (Blake) drains significantly reduce pain during removal compared to rigid (Portavac) drains. Patient preference favored the less painful Blake drain in this surgical study.
Area of Science:
- Plastic Surgery
- Surgical Innovation
- Pain Management
Background:
- Surgical drain removal is a significant source of postoperative pain for some patients.
- This study compares patient-controlled pain experiences between soft fluted silicone (Blake) drains and conventional rigid (Portavac) drains.
Purpose of the Study:
- To prospectively evaluate and compare the pain associated with the removal of Blake drains versus Portavac drains.
- To determine patient preference between the two drain types based on pain experienced during removal.
Main Methods:
- A prospective, randomized, patient-controlled study involving 43 patients undergoing bilateral breast reduction.
- Blake drains and Portavac drains were used contralaterally within the same patient to serve as individual controls.
- Pain scores were assessed using a descriptive scale before, during, and after drain removal, with statistical analysis via Wilcoxon signed ranks test.
Main Results:
- Blake drains demonstrated significantly lower pain scores before (p = 0.05), during (p = 0.01), and after removal (p = 0.009) compared to Portavac drains.
- A majority of patients (27 out of 37) expressed a preference for the Blake drain over the Portavac drain.
Conclusions:
- Soft fluted silicone (Blake) drains are recommended for wound drainage, particularly when large-caliber drains are necessary.
- The use of Blake drains can lead to a less painful patient experience during drain removal.