The electrified drain. A new device for sterilizing the field of drainage

A randomized control study was performed on 24 patients to evaluate the effect of a new drainage system. Two types of drains were used: electrified and the conventional corrugated rubber drains. All of the 24 patients had an incisional hernia repair operation. In 12 patients, the wound was drained with an electrified drain (ED) and in the other 12 by the conventional drain (CD). The ED consisted of a corrugated rubber drain to which 2 silver-silver chloride electrodes were fixed. The wounds were drained for the first 3 post-operative days during which antibiotics were given. A peroperative and daily swab from the wound was taken during the time of drainage and for 4 days thereafter, and cultured. For evaluation, a pathogen count of less than 10(5) colony-forming units per ml of discharge from wound cultures was considered as successful drainage, while counts above this level were defined as failures. Drainage failure occurred in 4/12 patients (33%) of the CD group. Pathogens encountered were Streptococcus pyogenes, Staphylococcus aureus and albus and P. aeruginosa. Manifestations of wound inflammation occurred in 2 of the 4 patients. The appropriate antibiotic was given to the 4 patients after culture and sensitivity tests were performed. Drainage failure did not occur in any of the ED group. Post-operative laboratory assessment of blood count, liver and kidney functions and serum electrolytes recorded insignificant changes against preoperative values in both groups. The results demonstrate the superiority of the ED over the CD. The electric field produced by the ED seems to be lethal to organisms. The ED is simple, safe and cost-effective.