Closed suction surgical wound drainage after orthopaedic surgery.
BACKGROUND
Closed suction drainage systems are frequently used to drain fluids, particularly blood, from surgical wounds. The aim of these systems is to reduce the occurrence of wound haematomas and infection.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effectiveness of closed suction drainage systems for orthopaedic surgery.


METHODS
We searched the Cochrane Musculoskeletal Injuries Group specialised register (May 2001), MEDLINE (1996-May 2001) and references from articles.


METHODS
All randomised or quasi-randomised trials comparing the use of closed suction drainage systems with no drainage systems for all types of elective and emergency orthopaedic surgery.


METHODS
Both reviewers independently assessed trial quality, using a nine item scale, and extracted data. Wherever appropriate and possible, the data are presented graphically.


RESULTS
Twenty-one studies involving 2772 patients with 2971 wounds were included in the analysis. The types of surgery involved were hip and knee replacement, shoulder surgery, hip fracture surgery, spinal surgery, cruciate ligament reconstruction, open meniscectomy and fracture fixation surgery. Many of the studies had poor methodology and reporting of outcomes. Pooling of results indicated no difference in the incidence of wound infection, haematoma or dehiscence between those allocated to drains and the un-drained wounds. There was a tendency to an increased risk of re-operation for wound complications in the group with drains (relative risk (RR) 2.25, 95% confidence intervals (CI) 0.95 to 5.33), but due to the small numbers of cases involved definite conclusions cannot be made for this outcome. Blood transfusion was required more frequently in those who received drains (RR 1.41, 95% CI 1.10 to 1.80). The need for reinforcement of wound dressings (RR 0.22, 95% CI 0.13 to 0.40) and bruising around the operation site was more common in the group without drains.


CONCLUSIONS
There is insufficient evidence from randomised trials to support or refute the routine use of closed suction drainage in orthopaedic surgery. Further randomised trials are required before definite conclusions can be made.
Parker
M J
MJ
Orthopaedic Department, Peterborough District Hospital, Thorpe Road, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, UK, PE3 6DA. mjparker@doctors.org.uk
Roberts
C
C
D006406:Hematoma / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D013396:Suction / Q000379:methods*; D013529:Surgical Wound Dehiscence / Q000517:prevention & control; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000517:prevention & control