title: Evaluation of morbidity of suction drains after retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy in gynecological tumors: a systematic literature review.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The prophylactic use of closed suction drains after retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy in the management of gynecologic tumors has been widely used to prevent collections of clots or lymph and to avoid infections and postoperative fistulas. The improvement of newer surgical techniques, the use of antibiotic prophylaxis, and the nonclosure of the peritoneum led to the need to reevaluate the use of drains. Retrospective, prospective, and randomized studies did not find differences in the postoperative morbidity between the use and nonuse of drains. Some studies even suggested worse morbidity with the use of drains.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To assess the morbidity of the use of drains compared with no drains in a systematic literature review with aggregate effect measure (meta-analysis).
  
  
  METHODS
  Between 1966 and August 2007, 3 independent reviewers analyzed all studies that assessed the use of drains or no drains through a comprehensive literature search of the MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane Central Databases. Statistical analysis was carried out through the RevMan software.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 285 studies initially reviewed, 11 were selected. Only 4 were considered adequate for group analysis, totaling 571 patients. When assessing outcomes altogether, namely, fever morbidity, symptomatic lymphocysts, deep vein thrombosis, pelvic infection, and fistulas, the relative risk was 1.76 (95% confidence interval, 1.04-3.01) and number necessary to harm was 12.2 referring to the use of drains.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The prophylactic use of continuous suction drains after retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy in the management of gynecologic tumors should be avoided.
authors.affiliation: Hospital Santa Rita, Sao Paulo, Brazil. omarmbacha@terra.com.br
authors.forename: Omar Moreira
authors.initials: OM
authors.lastname: Bacha
authors.forename: Marie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Plante
authors.forename: Luciana Schmidt
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Kirschnick
authors.forename: Maria Isabel
authors.initials: MI
authors.lastname: Edelweiss
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005833:Genital Neoplasms, Female / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008197:Lymph Node Excision; D008875:Middle Aged; D012187:Retroperitoneal Space; D013396:Suction / Q000009:adverse effects*; D055815:Young Adult