The Effect of Subcutaneous Suction Drains on Surgical Site Infection in Open Abdominal Surgery. A Prospective Randomized Study

Abstract

AIM: Surgical site infection (SSI) is a major problem associated with open abdominal surgery and related to increased morbidity and mortality rates, healthcare costs and also incisional hernia. A negative pressure subcutaneous drain reduces dead space in subcutaneous tissue by preventing accumulation of fluid. The aim of current study was to establish the efficacy of a subcutaneous drainage system for preventing SSI after open abdominal clean-contaminated surgery.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 62 patients underwent abdominal surgery, between November 2014 and March 2015, were enrolled. 48 eligible patients, were randomized into subcutaneous drainage (DG) and no drainage group (NDG). Antibiotic prophylaxis was appiled to each patient. The diagnosis of superficial SSI was made according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) definition.

RESULTS: The mean age of patients was 48.77 +/- 12.62 years with a male-female ratio of 21:27. No statistical difference between groups was observed for age, sex, comorbidity, incision type, hemoglobin level, blood loss, hospital stay and operation time (P>0.05). 2 (8.7%) patients in DG and 8 (32%) patients in NDG had incisional SSI but no statistical difference was observed (P>0.05).

CONCLUSION: SSI appear to be reduced with subcutaneous suction drains in open abdominal surgery however prospective randomized larger scaled studies should be performed on this topic.