title: A retrospective study of the use of active suction wound drains in dogs and cats.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To report indications for use and complications associated with commonly used closed active suction wound drains in a large number of clinical cases.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective review of medical case records (from 2004 to 2010) for dogs and cats that had a closed active suction drain placed into a wound. Only the four most common drain types were included: Mini Redovac®, Redovac®, Jackson Pratt® and Wound Evac®.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Two hundred and fifty-three drains were placed in 33 cats and 195 dogs. Mini Redovac drains were used most frequently in cats (76 · 5%) and Redovac drains in dogs (54 · 3%). The infection rate for clean surgeries in dogs was 15 · 6% (unattainable in cats). Major complications occurred in four dogs; minor complications occurred in 12 drains in cats (35 · 3%), and in 74 drains in dogs (33 · 8%). There was no statistically significant association between the type of drain and complication rate for either species.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although closed active suction drains can be used with low risk of major complications, they lead to a high rate of infection in clean surgeries in dogs. It is recommended that such drains are kept in place for the shortest time possible and that strict asepsis is adhered to both during placement and management.
authors.affiliation: Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Queen Mother Hospital for Animals, The Royal Veterinary College, Hawkshead Lane, North Mymms, Hatfield, Herts, AL9 7TA.
authors.forename: P C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Bristow
authors.forename: Z J
authors.initials: ZJ
authors.lastname: Halfacree
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Baines
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000601:surgery; D002415:Cats / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000601:surgery; D004285:Dogs / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013396:Suction / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000662:veterinary*; D014945:Wound Healing; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000628:therapy / Q000662:veterinary*