Related Experiment Videos
Drainage is unnecessary after elective liver resection
1Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York 10021, USA.
American Journal of Surgery
|January 1, 1996
Summary
Intra-abdominal drainage catheters are not necessary after elective liver resection. This study found no significant differences in outcomes or complications between drained and undrained patients, suggesting routine drainage can be avoided.
Area of Science:
- Hepatobiliary surgery
- Surgical oncology
- Clinical trials
Background:
- Elective liver resections are complex procedures.
- The necessity of intra-abdominal drainage after liver surgery remains debated.
- Optimizing patient outcomes and resource utilization is crucial in liver surgery.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the necessity of intra-abdominal drainage catheters following elective liver resection.
- To evaluate the impact of operative drainage on patient outcomes and complications.
Main Methods:
- A prospective, randomized trial involving 120 patients undergoing elective liver resection.
- Patients were stratified by resection extent and surgeon, then randomized to receive or not receive closed-suction drainage.
- Outcomes assessed included length of hospital stay, mortality, complication rates, and need for subsequent drainage.
Main Results:
- No significant differences were observed in length of hospital stay, mortality, or overall complication rates between drained and undrained groups.
- The rate of subsequent percutaneous drainage was not significantly different between groups (18% no drain vs. 8% drain).
- Infected collections and drain-related complications occurred exclusively in the drained group.
Conclusions:
- Intra-abdominal drainage is unnecessary after elective liver resection.
- Routine use of drains does not improve patient outcomes and may be associated with specific complications.
- Future practice may involve selective or no drainage in elective liver resections.