Drain Site Hernia: A Review of the Incidence and Prevalence

Surgical drains prevent fluid accumulation such as peritoneal fluid, blood, pus or inflammatory exudates. However, complications may occur. The aim of this study is to review the incidence and prevalence of drain site hernia as a complication of surgical drains.

A search of the literature in the MEDLINE database, using PubMed and OvidSP, Scopus, Google Scholar and Cochrane Databases with the following MeSH terms: (Drain or surgical drain or drainage) AND (drain hernia, drain-site hernia, laparoscopic drain-site hernia)was done. Also, these searches done from 14th-31st Dec 2013 were restricted according to the following MeSH limits: (a) January 1, 1980 to December 14, 2013, (b) English articles (c) Human.

Overall, 24 articles had 49 patients with drain site hernias. Of this, 7 (14. 3 %) post open surgery while 42 (85.7 %) post laparoscopic surgery. Seven (14.3 %) occurred immediately after the operation/removal of drain, 10 (20.4 %) several days to 2 week, while 32 (65.3 %) several months to years. Commonest organ of herniation was 13 (26.5 %) small bowel, while morbidities, arising from drain site hernias occurred in 17 (34.7 %) with the highest 7 (14.3 %) due to bowel strangulation. Previous reports have quoted the incidence of drain site hernia to be 3.4% (5 of 148), and 0.14% (8 of 5541). Mortality was extremely low (2.0 %).

Attention is warranted for drain site hernias as a significant complication following placement of surgical drain. Incidence (0.1-3.4 %), though wide range, is quite significant in these patients. Therefore, unwanted surgical drain insertion should be avoided.