A comparative study of closed-wound suction drainage vs. no drainage in total hip arthroplasty

One hundred consecutive primary total hip arthroplasties performed by the same surgeon over 4 years were retrospectively reviewed. In the first 50, closed-suction drains were used; the following 50 were not drained. Comparison between the two groups revealed no statistically significant differences in wound problems, postoperative pyrexias, or other short-term complications. No wound infections occurred. A mean of 2.6 units of blood per patient was transfused to the nondrained group. In the drained group, a mean of 3.4 units of blood per patient was transfused. This difference was not statistically significant. The mean postoperative fall in haemoglobin concentration was 2.4 g/dl in the nondrained group, and 1.9 g/dl in the drained group. This difference was not statistically significant. This study demonstrated no advantage to the use of suction drains in uncomplicated total hip arthroplasty, and perhaps their routine use should be questioned.