A Comparative Study of Subcutaneous versus Intra-Articular Indwelling Closed Suction Drainage after Total Knee Arthroplasty

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study was to compare the drainage amount, total blood loss, and clinical results between two different positions of suction drainage after total knee arthroplasty. Materials and Methods: A total of 100 patients who underwent one stage bilateral total knee arthroplasty were enrolled. In experiment 1 with 50 patients, we compared the drainage amount, pain, range of motion, and complications of the leg whose suction drain was inserted into the joint cavity with those of the contralateral leg whose suction drain was inserted in subcutaneous tissue. Another 50 patients of experiment 2 had suction drainage in the joint cavity of both legs and the total blood loss (sum of drainage output, exudates, and hematoma of subcutaneous tissue and joint) was calculated and compared with that of experiment 1. Results: In experiment 1, the drainage amount was less in the leg with suction drainage in subcutaneous tissue compared with the contralateral leg with suction drainage in the joint cavity (p<0.001). However, the postoperative joint pain was significantly different only on post-operative day 2 between two legs. In experiment 2, there was no significant difference in the total blood loss between the two groups. Conclusion: Although the drainage amount was less in the leg whose suction drain was kept in subcutaneous tissue compared with the contralateral leg whose suction drain was in the joint cavity, the total blood loss and the clinical results were not significantly different according to the position of the suction drain. Therefore, we can conclude that the subcutaneous position of the suction drain did not yield superior results.