Aim: 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.
Conclusion: The use of drain after simple elective uncomplicated LC could safely be limited to appropriate patients as judged by the operating surgeon.
© 2010 The Authors. Digestive Endoscopy © 2010 Japan Gastroenterological Endoscopy Society.