Prophylactic intraabdominal drainage after elective colorectal resections

Abstract

Whether a prophylactic drain is useful after elective colorectal resections is questionable. The purpose of this prospective study was to evaluate the role of postoperative drainage following elective colorectal resections. Hundred consecutive laparoscopic and open elective resections for colorectal cancer were prospectively recorded. Seventy-four resections were accomplished conventionally, 22 laparoscopically and 4 laparoscopically assisted. The day of removal of the drainage was at the discretion of the surgeon. In 28 patients, drainage was removed after 1 day, in 34 patients after 2 days, in 20 patients after 3, and in 18 patients after 4 or more days. The preoperative risk (ASA class), age, body mass index (BMI), tumor stage, tumor location, intraoperative blood loss, and operative time were not significantly different in relation to duration of drainage. The postoperative surgical complications included 4 anastomotic leakages, 1 bleeding requiring reoperation and 5 wound infections. The drainage was neither able to diagnose bleeding nor to prevent reoperation in patients with anastomotic leaks. A prophylactic drain after colorectal resections is only recommended in selected cases.