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Non-continuous versus continuous wound drainage after total knee arthroplasty: a meta-analysis

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Abstract

Purpose

So far, controversy still exists regarding the use of non-continuous or continuous wound drainage after total knee arthroplasty. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of these two drainage techniques after total knee arthroplasty.

Methods

We searched the established electronic literature databases of Pubmed, Embase, Cochrane Library, CNKI, VIP and WANFANG. Nine RCTs including a total of 761 patients involving 811 knees were eligible for this meta-analysis.

Results

Our results showed that non-continuous drainage was associated with less haemoglobin loss (WMD,  −0.43, 95 % CI −0.62 to −0.24; P < 0.00001) and postoperative visible blood loss (WMD,  −305.09, 95 % CI −408.10 to −202.08; P < 0.00001) compared with continuous drainage. No significant difference was found between the two groups in terms of range of motion (WMD, 0.99, 95 % CI −1.01 to 2.98; P = 0.33), incidence of blood transfusion (OR, 0.63, 95 % CI 0.38 to 1.06; P = 0.80) or postoperative complications (OR, 1.09, 95 % CI 0.35 to 3.40; P = 0.89).

Conclusion

The existing evidence indicates that non-continuous drainage can achieve less haemoglobin loss (especially the four- to six-hour drain clamping) and postoperative visible blood loss with no increased risk of postoperative complications compared with continuous drainage.

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No funding source was involved in this study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Science, 100730, Beijing, People’s Republic of China

    Tao Li, Qianyu Zhuang, Xisheng Weng, Lei Zhou & Yanyan Bian

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  1. Tao Li
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  2. Qianyu Zhuang
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  3. Xisheng Weng
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  4. Lei Zhou
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Xisheng Weng.

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Li, T., Zhuang, Q., Weng, X. et al. Non-continuous versus continuous wound drainage after total knee arthroplasty: a meta-analysis. International Orthopaedics (SICOT) 38, 361–371 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00264-013-2105-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00264-013-2105-0

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