title: Is closed-suction drainage necessary after intradural primary spinal cord tumor surgery?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The efficacy of closed-suction drainage in primary intradural spinal cord tumor surgery has not been addressed. We investigated whether closed-suction drainage is essential after primary intradural spinal cord tumor surgery.
  
  
  METHODS
  From January 2003 to October 2011, 169 consecutive patients with primary intradural spinal cord tumors operated by a single surgeon were selected. Closed-suction drainage was inserted in patients before August 2007, but was not used after August 2007. After removal of tumor and meticulous hemostasis, the opened dura was closed and made watertight using 4-0 silk with interrupt suture and 1.0 cm(3) of surgical glue was applied in common. Closed-suction drainage was inserted below the muscular fascia in 75 patients (group I, M:F = 39:36; 46.20 ± 15.63 years) and was not inserted in 94 patients (group II, M:F = 46:48; 51.05 ± 14.89 years).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Neurological deficit precluding ambulation did not occur in all patients. Between group I and II, there were no significant differences in body mass index (22.75 ± 3.16 vs. 23.51 ± 3.22 kg/m(2); p = 0.13), laminectomy level (2.45 ± 1.46 vs. 2.33 ± 1.91; p = 0.65), operation time (260.65 ± 109.08 vs. 231.52 ± 90.08 min; p = 0.06), estimated intraoperative blood loss (456.93 ± 406.62 vs. 383.94 ± 257.25 cm(3); p = 0.18), and hospital stay period (9.25 ± 5.01 vs. 9.35 ± 5.75 days; p = 0.91). Two patients in group I underwent revision surgery due to wound problems, while revision surgery was not performed in group II (p = 0.20).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Closed-suction drainage may not be essential after primary intradural spinal cord tumor surgery.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Seoul National University Hospital and College of Medicine, 28 Yongeon-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul 110-744, Korea.
authors.forename: Seil
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sohn
authors.forename: Chun Kee
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Chung
authors.forename: Chi Heon
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007796:Laminectomy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011182:Postoperative Care; D013120:Spinal Cord Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D013396:Suction; D016896:Treatment Outcome