33: A SNAPSHOT OF THE CURRENT PRACTICE ON THE USE OF PROPHYLACTIC DRAIN AFTER GASTRECTOMY IN ITALY: THE ABDOMINAL DRAIN IN GASTRECTOMY (ADIGE) SURVEY

Abstract

Abstract Background and aim Evidence against the use of prophylactic drain after gastrectomy are increasing. Nevertheless, it is unclear whether this practice is still widespread. We conducted a survey among Italian surgeons through the Italian Gastric Cancer Study Group and the Polispecialistic Society of Young Surgeons, aiming to understand the current use of prophylactic drain. Methods A 23-item questionnaire-based survey was developed to analyze the current practice and the individual opinion about the use of prophylactic drain after gastrectomy. Groups based on age, experience and unit volume were separately analyzed. Results Response of 104 surgeons from 73 surgical units were collected. A standardized ERAS protocol for gastrectomy was applied by 42% of the interviewed surgeons. The large majority of the surgeons, regardless of age, experience or unit volume, declared to routinely place one or more drain after gastrectomy. Only 2 (1.9%) and 7 surgeons (6.7%) belonging to high volume units, do not routinely place drains after total and subtotal gastrectomy, respectively. More than 60% of the interviewed remove the drain on postoperative day 4–6 after performing an assessment of the anastomosis integrity. Interestingly, less than half of the surgeons believe that drain is the main tool for leak management, and this percentage further drops among younger surgeons. On the other hand, drain’s role seems to be more defined for duodenal stump leak treatment, with almost 50% of the surgeons recognizing its importance. Conclusion Routine use of prophylactic drain after gastrectomy is still a widespread practice even if younger surgeons are more persuaded that it could not be advantageous. New and stronger evidence are needed to define the role of prophylactic drain after gastrectomy.