Drains and Drainage Capabilities: Quantitative Analysis of Drain Efficiencies

Abstract

Objective: In this study, it was aimed to compare the efficiency of the same type of but different-sized silicone drains at different surgical procedures. Material and Methods: Twenty-four patients, who had different diagnoses and were operated between 2011 and 2013, were included. In all patients, 7- and 10-mm silicone-ended, Jackson–Pratt drains were used. Drains that were under 30 cc/day removed. The connection tube and perforated silicone end were examined due to the clot content. All drain efficiencies were calculated, and the results were statistically analyzed. Results: Seven of the 24 patients (29.2%) were males and 17 (70.8%) were females; the mean age was 39.0±11.4 years. Totally, 49 drains were used, of which 25 (51%) were 7 mm and 24 (49%) were 10 mm in size. Median removal time was the 5 th day (2–12) for the 7-mm drains and the 6 th day (3–14) for the 10-mm drains. There was no statistically significant difference between the groups for drain removal time (p=0.268). Further, there was no difference at the connection tube and silicone end for clot content between the 7- and 10-mm drains (p=0.58). For the drainage volume and efficiency, no difference was observed between the groups (p=0.146). Conclusion: In this study it was observed that there is no difference in the drainage volume and efficiency between different-sized Jack son–Pratt drains.