Use of Drain in Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy

Abstract

Background: laparoscopic cholecystectomy has become the procedure of choice for treatment of patients with gall stones. The routine placement of drains becomes a part of this operation for a long period of time. However, controversy has surrounded this practice in elective conventional cholecystectomies, with most surgeons departing from this approach. Aim of the Work: this study aimed to assess the value of the drain in uncomplicated laparoscopic cholecystectomy and if the insertion of a drain should be routinely done or not. Patients and Methods: this study was conducted at AL-Azhar University Hospitals in Cairo (Al Hussien and Bab Al Shaaria Hospitals), Kafr Al-Sheikh General Hospital and Biala Central Hospital on 180 patiants presented to general surgery clinic with gall stone disease. Patients were randomized into two groups and both groups underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy, group A (90 patients) received a drain in gall bladder bed and group B (90 patients) receivd no drain. Postoperative mortalities and morbidities shuch as pain, nausea, vomiting, fever, abdominal collection, wound infection, need for analgesics and time of discharge from hospital were assessed. Statistical analysis was performed. Mean and standard deviation were estimated for each continuous variable. Results: there was no mortality in either groups and no statistically significant difference in postoperative pain, nausea, vomiting, wound infection or abdominal collection between the two groups. However, hospital stay was longer in the drain group than in group without drain. Conclusion: our study suggested that insertion of drain should not be routinely done in elective laproscopic cholecystectomy as it has no significant effect on postoperative morbidity, moreover, it delays hospital discharge.