Appendicectomy drains: a case controlled study.
Between January 1967 and January 1971, 323 patients underwent appendicectomy at the Royal Brisbane Hospital. Intraperitoneal and wound drains were used in 53 of these patients, and these were matched with 53 control patients. There were more complications in drained than non-drained patients, although there were more wound problems in the latter group. Twenty-seven patients developed infective complications after drain removal. The drained patients remained in hospital four days longer than their controls. It is suggested that drains were removed before suppuration had time to take place. It is recommended that drains be left in situ for at least ten days.
D000038:Abscess / Q000517:prevention & control; D001062:Appendectomy; D004322:Drainage; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000517:prevention & control; D013997:Time Factors