Should drains be used in routine cholecystectomy?

Retrospective analysis failed to demonstrate that drainage in routine cholecystectomy was associated with the reported incidence of wound complications. The overall complication rate was increased in those patients in whom drains were used. This is believed to be due to the patient selection rather than the use of drains in that the most difficult operative cases received drains. Those patients who did not have drainage did not experience related problems, but drains may diagnose and treat the occasional bile leak. Incidental appendectomy increased the incidence of wound infection.