Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Review
. 2013 Sep;26(3):174-7.
doi: 10.1055/s-0033-1351134.

Use of intra-abdominal drains

Frances J Puleo  1 , Nitin Mishra  1 , Jason F Hall  2
Affiliations
Review

Use of intra-abdominal drains

Frances J Puleo et al. Clin Colon Rectal Surg. 2013 Sep.

Abstract

The use of drains in colorectal surgery has been a subject of debate for several decades. Prophylactic drainage of the peritoneal cavity has become less popular in recent years. This change is due to several studies demonstrating that intraperitoneal drains do not adequately drain the peritoneal cavity and do not prevent or contain anastomotic leaks. Percutaneous drain placement has become the standard of care for patients with intra-abdominal abscesses. Selected anastomotic leaks in the stable patient can also be managed with percutaneous drains. In this article, the authors review in detail the use of drains and the literature to support their use in our everyday practice.

Keywords: anastomosis; anastomotic leak; colon and rectal surgery; drainage; drains.

PubMed Disclaimer

References

    1. Petrowsky H Demartines N Rousson V Clavien P A Evidence-based value of prophylactic drainage in gastrointestinal surgery: a systematic review and meta-analyses Ann Surg 200424061074–1084., discussion 1084-1085 - PMC - PubMed
    1. Sagar P M, Couse N, Kerin M, May J, MacFie J. Randomized trial of drainage of colorectal anastomosis. Br J Surg. 1993;80(6):769–771. - PubMed
    1. Berliner S D, Burson L C, Lear P E. Use and abuse of intraperitoneal drain in colon surgery. Arch Surg. 1964;89:686–689. - PubMed
    1. Hoffmann J, Shokouh-Amiri M H, Damm P, Jensen R. A prospective, controlled study of prophylactic drainage after colonic anastomoses. Dis Colon Rectum. 1987;30(6):449–452. - PubMed
    1. Urbach D R, Kennedy E D, Cohen M M. Colon and rectal anastomoses do not require routine drainage: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Ann Surg. 1999;229(2):174–180. - PMC - PubMed