A STATISTICAL-ANALYSIS OF DRAINAGE VERSUS NON-DRAINAGE OF ELECTIVE CHOLECYSTECTOMY

  • 1 March 1986
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 162  (3) , 253-255
Abstract
A retrospective review is undertaken to evaluate the effects of drainage versus nondrainage of the gallbladder bed after elective cholecystectomy. Two hundred charts of patients who underwent elective cholecystectomy without choledochotomy were reviewed. Patients selection was based upon several criteria: elective cholecystectomy, lack of explorations of the common duct and lack of associated surgical procedures. Two equal groups were analyzed. Those who had postopertive drainage of the subheptic space and those who did not have drainage. Postoperative length stay, maximum postoperative temperature elevation and the number of postoperative analgesic were significantly higher (p < 0.001) in the drainage group. The rate of progression to regular diet was significantly faster in the nondrainage group (P < 0.001) and the number of complications was higher in the drainage group (p < 0.05). No complications were noted due to the lack of drain placement. It was concluded that routine drainage of the subhepatic space after elective cholecystectomy without choledochotomy is unnecessary and contributes to increased postoperative morbidity, length of hospital stay and a higher rate of complications.