No need for routine closed suction drainage in elective arthroplasty of the hip: a prospective randomized trial in 104 operations.
BACKGROUND
The purpose of this study was to determine the utility of closed suction drainage (CSD) in elective total hip arthroplasty (THA).


METHODS
We randomized 104 elective, consecutive THAs to receive drainage (53) or no drainage (51). 60 arthroplasties were cemented and 44 hybrid.


RESULTS
In the drainage group, 2 hematomas and 2 superficial wound infections occurred; there were no wound complications in the undrained group (p = 0.04). Patients receiving drainage had a greater reduction in hematocrit (10.4 vs 7.4) (p = 0.03), and longer hospital stay (5.1 days vs 4.7) (p = 0.01). At the 3-month follow-up, we found no deep wound infections in either group.


CONCLUSIONS
We no longer use CSD in elective, primary, routine THA.
González Della Valle
Alejandro
A
The Hospital for Special Surgery, 535 East 70 Street, New York, NY 10021, USA. agdv@intramed.net
Slullitel
Gastón
G
Vestri
Renato
R
Comba
Fernando
F
Buttaro
Martín
M
Piccaluga
Francisco
F
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D019644:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D017558:Elective Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006621:Hip Joint / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007592:Joint Diseases / Q000601:surgery; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013396:Suction / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*