A statistical analysis of drainage versus nondrainage of elective cholecystectomy

A retrospective review is undertaken to evaluate the effects of drainage versus nondrainage of the gallbladder bed after elective cholecystectomy. Two hundred charts of patients who underwent elective cholecystectomy without choledochotomy were reviewed. Patient selection was based upon several criteria: elective cholecystectomy, lack of explorations of the common duct and lack of associated surgical procedures. Two equal groups were analyzed. Those who had postoperative drainage of the subhepatic space and those who did not have drainage. Postoperative length of stay, maximum postoperative temperature elevation and the number of postoperative analgesics were significantly higher (p less than 0.001) in the drainage group. The rate of progression to regular diet was significantly faster in the nondrainage group (p less than 0.001) and the number of complications was higher in the drainage group (p less than 0.05). No complications were noted due to the lack of drain placement. It was concluded that routine drainage of the subhepatic space after elective cholecystectomy without choledochotomy is unnecessary and contributes to increased postoperative morbidity, length of hospital stay and a higher rate of complications.