title: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy with and without abdominal prophylactic drainage.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  As techniques in laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) have improved, the role of routine prophylactic abdominal drainage may be limited. A retrospective review was carried out of patients undergoing elective LC to evaluate the benefit of routine drainage in simple uncomplicated procedures.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study of 295 patients with cholecystolithiasis or gallbladder polyp included 145 patients who underwent LC with drainage and 150 patients who underwent LC without drainage between 2003 and 2007. Allocation to drain or not to drain was non-randomized and based on surgeon preference according to intraoperative findings. Patient characteristics, operative results, and postoperative outcomes were compared between the two groups with univariate analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Time to first flatus and length of postoperative hospital stay in the LC without drainage group were shorter than in the LC with drainage group. There was no significant difference between the two groups with respect to postoperative complication rate. No complications were noted due to the lack of drain placement.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The use of drain after simple elective uncomplicated LC could safely be limited to appropriate patients as judged by the operating surgeon.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Nakatsu Municipal Hospital, Nakatsu-City, Oita, Japan. ishikwa@med.oita-u.ac.jp
authors.forename: Koichi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ishikawa
authors.forename: Takashi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Matsumata
authors.forename: Fumiaki
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Kishihara
authors.forename: Yasuro
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Fukuyama
authors.forename: Hidetaka
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Masuda
authors.forename: Seigo
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kitano
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D017081:Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic / Q000379:methods*; D041761:Cholecystolithiasis / Q000601:surgery*; D004322:Drainage / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005706:Gallbladder Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011127:Polyps / Q000601:surgery*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D019564:Unnecessary Procedures