Tubes and Drains: Current Updates on Evidence on Their Role Within Recovery

Abstract

Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) programs should aim to achieve the highest level of compliance with all items in the guidelines. One of the primary recommendations is to avoid the routine use of nasogastric tubes and/or abdominal drains. The published literature shows that routine use of nasogastric decompression does not reduce time to initiation of bowel function, length of hospital stay, infections, or rates of anastomotic leaks. Similarly, the routine use of abdominal drains has not been shown to have any benefit in reducing nausea, vomiting, infections, abscess formation, anastomotic leaks, or lymphocyst formation. In fact, in certain settings, the routine use of drainage has been associated with an increased risk of morbidity to the patient and delay in overall recovery. All ERAS programs should emphasize the importance of avoiding nasogastric or abdominal drainage so that patients may experience a faster and safer recovery after surgery.