title: The role of abdominal drainage after major hepatic resection.
abstract: The authors reviewed their recent experience with major hepatic resection in order to evaluate the role of abdominal drainage in the development and treatment of postoperative complications. Fifty-one patients underwent major hepatectomy with abdominal drainage; 44 of these patients (86%) for malignancy (average age at operation: 59 years). Drains were removed after a median period of 4 days. Major complications occurred in 16 patients (31%), and 3 patients (6%) had a fatal outcome. Twenty patients (39%) experienced minor complications, including 6 cases (12%) of ascitic leak from the insertion site. Considering the type and extent of liver resections reported in this series, these results suggest that abdominal drainage, if technically adequate and maintained for a short period, is not responsible for a high rate of postoperative complications. Its use, although questionable after limited resections, is, therefore, still recommended after difficult and extended hepatectomies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Princess Grace Hospital, Monaco.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bona
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gavelli
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Huguet
mesh_terms: D000005:Abdomen; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004322:Drainage / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006498:Hepatectomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011182:Postoperative Care; D012189:Retrospective Studies