Summary
Information obtained from animal experiments cannot generally be applied to clinical situations, but such obvious differences as the difference between the healing of drained and undrained anastomoses may be applicable. All 15 of the control dogs recovered, and their colonic anastomoses had only filmy adhesions and no stricture formation. In contrast to this, of those with Penrose drains, nine of 20 died of anastomotic disruption and peritonitis, and the rest had extensive adhesions and varying degrees of stricture formation.
The use of drains cannot be condemned categorically because in gross and microscopic appearances the anastomoses in seven dogs with Teflon tape drains were not much different from those of the control animals.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Berliner, S. D., L. C. Burson, and P. E. Lear: Use and abuse of intraperitoneal drains in colon surgery. Arch. Surg.89: 686, 1964.
Buchbinder, J. R., W. A. Droegemueller, and F. R. Heilman: Experimental peritonitis. III. The effect of drainage upon experimental diffuse peritonitis. Surg., Gynec., Obstet.53: 726, 1931.
Canalis, F., and M. M. Ravitch: Study of healing of inverting and everting intestinal anastomoses. Surg. Gynec. Obstet.126: 109, 1968.
Chaffin, R. C.: Surgical drainagevs. wicks and venting. Med. Times.73: 40, 1945.
Cottis, G. W.: The fallacy of peritoneal drainage. Am. J. Surg.60: 204, 1943.
Heupel, H. W., A. Veinbergs, and E. W. Humphrey: The effect of preoperative roentgen therapy upon the tensile strength of rectosigmoid anastomoses in dogs. Radiol. Clin.35: 129, 1966.
Laufman, H., and H. Method: Effects of absorbable foreign substance on bowel anastomosis. Surg. Gynec. Obstet.86: 669, 1948.
Loeb, M. J.: Comparative strength of inverted, everted, and end-on intestinal anastomoses. Surg. Gynec. Obstet.125: 301, 1967.
Rusca, J. A., G. H. Bornside, and I. Cohn, Jr.: Everting versus inverting gastrointestinal anastomoses: Bacterial leakage and anastomotic disruption. Ann. Surg.169: 727 1969.
Shipley, A. M.: Drainage of the peritoneal cavity and intestinal obstruction (editorial). Surg. Gynec. Obstet.60: 1016, 1935.
Trowbridge, P. E., and E. L. Howes: Reinforcement of colon anastomoses using polyurethane foam treated with neomycin: An experimental study. Am. J. Surg.113: 236, 1967.
Yates, J. L.: An experimental study of the local effects of peritoneal drainage. Surg. Gynec. Obstet.1: 473, 1905.
Bell’s Surgery by Nicholas B. Waters. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, Budd and Bartram, 1802.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Read at the Meeting of the American Proctologic Society, Boston, Massachusetts, June 16 to 18, 1969.
About this article
Cite this article
Manz, C.W., LaTendresse, C. & Sako, Y. The detrimental effects of drains on colonic anastomoses. Dis Colon Rectum 13, 17–25 (1970). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02617675
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02617675