Risk-benefit assessment of closed intra-abdominal drains after pancreatic surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis assessing the current state of evidence.
BACKGROUND
This systematic review aims to analyse the risk-benefit association of (1) prophylactic drains and/or (2) the time of their removal after pancreatic resection.


METHODS
A systematic literature search (Medline, Embase, Biosis, and The Cochrane Library) was performed to identify all types of controlled trials comparing the role of drainage or the time of their removal on postoperative complications following pancreatic surgery. Meta-analysis was performed using a random-effects model.


RESULTS
Four studies, two randomised trials and two prospective cohort studies, were included in the systematic review and meta-analysis. Removal of drains at day 5 or later did not show an influence on mortality, morbidity, re-intervention or hospital stay compared to no insertion of drains. Early (day 3-4) compared to late (≥ day 5) drain removal significantly reduced pancreatic fistulas (odds ratio (OR) 0.13; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.03-0.32; P = 0.0002), intra-abdominal collections (OR 0.08; 95% CI 0.01-0.67; P = 0.02) and abscesses (OR 0.26; 95% CI 0.07-1.00; P = 0.05). Moreover, hospital stay was significantly reduced after early drain removal (mean difference -2.60 days; 95% CI -4.74 to -0.46; P = 0.02)


CONCLUSIONS
Further randomised controlled trials are warranted to clarify whether drains are of any use. In case of drain insertion, early removal seems to be superior to late removal.
Department of General, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, University of Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 110, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany.
Markus K
MK
Diener
Keyvan
K
Tadjalli-Mehr
Keyvan-Tadjalli
KT
Mehr
Moritz N
MN
Wente
Meinhard
M
Kieser
Markus W
MW
Büchler
Christoph M
CM
Seiler
D015331:Cohort Studies; D020878:Device Removal; D004322:Drainage / Q000379:methods*; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010182:Pancreatic Diseases / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D010185:Pancreatic Fistula / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D018570:Risk Assessment; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control; D016896:Treatment Outcome