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Is a drain necessary after colonic anastomosis?
C D Johnson1, P M Lamont, N Orr
1Department of Surgery, Westminster Hospital.
Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine
|November 1, 1989
Summary
This study found no benefit from using drains after colonic anastomosis in elective surgery. Drains did not reduce complications like anastomotic leakage or wound infections in patients undergoing colon surgery.
Area of Science:
- Colorectal Surgery
- Surgical Oncology
- Gastrointestinal Surgery
Background:
- Drains are sometimes used after colonic anastomosis to prevent complications.
- No prior clinical investigations have assessed drain utility in elective colonic anastomosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the clinical usefulness of drains following colonic anastomosis in elective surgical operations.
Main Methods:
- A prospective randomized study compared patients with a corrugated silastic drain to a control group without a drain.
- 49 patients received a drain, while 57 did not.
- Outcomes including anastomotic leakage and wound infections were compared between groups.
Main Results:
- No significant difference in outcomes was observed between the drain and no-drain groups.
- Anastomotic leakage occurred in six patients in each group.
- Wound infections were noted in 10 patients in each group, and mortality from leakage was similar.
Conclusions:
- This study provides no evidence to support the routine use of corrugated drains after colonic anastomosis.
- The findings suggest drains do not improve outcomes in elective colonic surgery.