title: SIX MONTH FOLLOW-UP OF PATIENTS SUBMITTED TO TOTAL KNEE ARTHROPLASTY WITH AND WITHOUT PLACEMENT OF SUCTION DRAINAGE DEVICES.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to prospectively evaluate the evolution and postoperative complication patterns relating to the use of suction drains, in comparison with not using these devices in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) procedures.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-two patients at a knee surgery referral clinic were included. Fifteen patients did not receive suction drainage postoperatively and 27 received suction drainage. The parameters evaluated were the range of motion, hematological indices, knee circumference and complication rate. The observation period was for six months after the surgical procedure.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were no statistically significant differences between the groups regarding knee circumference, hemoglobin, hematocrit, transfusion rate or infection index. Regarding range of motion, there was no statistically significant difference between the groups with and without drains preoperatively (p = 0.126), during the first postoperative day (p = 0.583), on the fifth to seventh postoperative day (p = 0.076) or at the six-month follow-up (p = 0.848). There was a statistically significant difference between the groups in the evaluation performed between the 14th and 28th postoperative days (p = 0.025).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  From this study, it was concluded that there was no benefit from using closed suction drains in TKA cases beyond six months after the operation. However, the range of movement at the end of the first month was greater in the patients that received suction drainage.
authors.affiliation: Adjunct Professor in the School of Medicine and Head of the Orthopedics and Traumatology Service, Hospital das Clínicas, Federal University of Minas Gerais. MSc and PhD in Medicine from the Federal University of Sao Paulo.
authors.forename: Marco Antônio Percope
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: de Andrade
authors.affiliation: Resident Physician in the Orthopedics and Traumatology Service, Hospital das Clínicas, Federal University of Minas Gerais.
authors.forename: Túlio Vinícius
authors.initials: TV
authors.lastname: de Oliveira Campos
authors.affiliation: Resident Physician in the Orthopedics and Traumatology Service, Hospital das Clínicas, Federal University of Minas Gerais.
authors.forename: Bruno Flúvio Alves
authors.initials: BF
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.affiliation: Resident Physician in the Orthopedics and Traumatology Service, Hospital das Clínicas, Federal University of Minas Gerais.
authors.forename: Mauricio Ernesto
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: de Assis
authors.affiliation: Resident Physician in the Orthopedics and Traumatology Service, Hospital das Clínicas, Federal University of Minas Gerais.
authors.forename: Lucas
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: de Castro Boechat
authors.affiliation: Orthopedist and Preceptor of the Knee Surgery Group, Hospital das Clínicas, Federal University of Minas Gerais.
authors.forename: Lúcio Flavio
authors.initials: LF
authors.lastname: Biondi
authors.affiliation: Orthopedist and Preceptor of the Knee Surgery Group, Hospital das Clínicas, Federal University of Minas Gerais.
authors.forename: Wagner Guimarães
authors.initials: WG
authors.lastname: Lemos
authors.affiliation: Orthopedist and Preceptor of the Knee Surgery Group, Hospital das Clínicas, Federal University of Minas Gerais.
authors.forename: Guilherme Moreira Abreu
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Silva
keywords: Arthroplasty; Drainage Channel; Hemorrhage; Knee; Range of Motion; joint