title: Abdominal drainage after liver resection for hepatocellular carcinoma in cirrhotic patients: a randomized controlled study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The use of drainage after liver resection remains controversial. Data of the usefulness of drains in cirrhotic patients undergoing surgical resection are scarce. The objective of our study is to assess the usefulness of intra-abdominal drainage after liver resection for hepatocellular carcinoma in cirrhotic patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  We performed a randomized controlled trial to assess the benefits of abdominal drainage after resection of hepatocellular carcinoma in cirrhotic patients. The main end point was to compare postoperative complications and hospital stay in both groups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Abdominal drainage decreased ascites leakage and significantly reduced hospital stay in comparison to the non-drainage group. In addition, local complications were less frequent in the drainage group. Postoperative ascites leakage significantly complicated patients with clinically relevant portal hypertension.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Intra-abdominal closed drainage is advisable in cirrhotic patients undergoing liver resection for hepatocellular carcinoma, mainly if presenting preoperative portal hypertension.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Hospital Clinic, University of Barcelona, Spain. jfuster@clinic.ub.es
authors.forename: Josep
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fuster
authors.forename: Josep M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Llovet
authors.forename: Juan C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Garcia-Valdecasas
authors.forename: Luis
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Grande
authors.forename: Constantino
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Fondevila
authors.forename: Ramon
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Vilana
authors.forename: Jordi
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Palacin
authors.forename: Jeanine
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Tabet
authors.forename: Joana
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ferrer
authors.forename: Jordi
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bruix
authors.forename: Josep
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Visa
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D004322:Drainage; D005260:Female; D006498:Hepatectomy / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D006975:Hypertension, Portal / Q000150:complications; D007902:Length of Stay; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000150:complications; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011184:Postoperative Period; D011446:Prospective Studies