Abstract
A prospective randomized, controlled trial was designed to study the influence of accorrugated latex drain on anastomotic integrity, wound infection, and respiratory complications after elective colonic resections above the pelvic peritoneum. Sixty patients entered the trial; 28 were drained and 32 undrained. Three patients in the undrained group died soon after surgery of causes unrelated to their colon anastomoses. There were no other differences in the incidence of postoperative complications in the two groups. When an anastomosis leaked, neither feces nor pus emerged via the drain. It is concluded that while the drains did not increase the incidence of postoperative complications, neither did they accomplish the purpose for which they were inserted. If, in addition, the economic cost of drainage is considered, it would seem that there is no advantage in inserting prophylactic drains after colonic anastomoses and their routine use needs to be reconsidered.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Lennox MS. Prophylactic drainage of colonic anastomoses. Br J Surg 1984;71:10–1.
Smith SR, Connolly JC, Crane PW, Gilmore OJ. The effect of surgical drainage materials on colonic healing. Br J Surg 1982;69:153–5.
Goligher JC. Surgery of the anus, rectum, and colon. 5th ed. London: Bailliere Tindall, 1984:503.
Berliner SD, Burson LC, Lear PE. Use and abuse of intraperitoneal drains in colon surgery. Arch Surg 1964;89:686–90.
Manz CW, LaTendresse C, Sako Y. The detrimental effects of drains on colonic anastomoses: an experimental study. Dis Colon Rectum 1970;13:17–25.
Crowson WN, Wilson CS. An experimental study of the effects of drains on colon anastomoses. Am Surg 1973;39:597–601.
Berliner SD, Burson LC, Lear PE. Intraperitoneal drains in surgery of the colon. Am J Surg 1967;113:646–7.
Brennan SS, Pickford IR, Evans M, Pollock AV. Staples or sutures for colonic anastomoses—a controlled clinical trial. Br J Surg 1982;69:722–4.
Khoury GA, Waxman BP. Large bowel anastomoses. I. The healing process and sutured anastomoses: a review. Br J Surg 1983;70:61–3.
Waxman BP. Large bowel anastomoses. II. The circular staplers. Br J Surg 1983;70:64–7.
Collins CD, Talbot CH. Pelvic drainage after anterior resection of the rectum. Arch Surg 1969;99:391–3.
Goldstein HS, Kredi R, Cecil F, Wolcott MW. Drains at the suture line. Surgery 1966;60:908–11.
Stone HH, Hooper CA, Millikan WJ Jr. Abdominal drainage following appendectomy and cholecytectomy. Ann Surg 1978; 187:606–12.
Elboim CM, Goldman L, Hann L, Palestrant, AM, Silen W. Significance of post-cholecystectomy subhepatic fluid collections. Ann Surg 1983;198:137–41.
Hoffmann J, Lorentzen M. Drainage after cholecystectomy. Br J Surg 1985;72:423–7.
Duthie HL. Drainage of the abdomen. N Engl J Med 1972;287:1081–3.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
About this article
Cite this article
Hoffmann, J., Shokouh-Amiri, M.H., Damm, P. et al. A prospective, controlled study of prophylactic drainage after colonic anastomoses. Dis Colon Rectum 30, 449–452 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02556495
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02556495