Do Post Operative Drains after Emergency Laparotomy Prevent Deep Surgical Site Infection

Abstract

Objective: To compare the frequency of deep surgical site infection in patients undergoing emergency laparotomy with and without postoperative drains in a tertiary care hospital.

Study Design: Randomized control trial study.

Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted at the Surgical Ward-2, JPMC, Karachi from January 2015 to January 2016.

Materials and Methods: Seven hundred and sixty two patients undergoing emergency laparotomy with age from 15-60 years, due to perforated appendix, tuberculosis, typhoid determined history, clinical examination and erect abdominal X ray were randomized into two groups i.e. with and without post-operative drains. Rate of deep surgical site infection on 3^rd & 7^th day was measured as outcome.

Results: The mean age of the patients was 28.92±6.246 years with 330 (43.3%) were female while rest 432 (56.7%) were male. Deep surgical site infection on 3^rd day was 7.2% in patients with post-operative drains while 8.1% in patients without post-operative drains. Similarly on day 7, deep surgical site infection was 6.3% in patients with post-operative drains as compared with 8.1% in patients without post-operative drains. Differences were statistically non-significant.

Conclusion: It is concluded that there is no difference in frequency of developing deep surgical site infection on 3^rd day and 7^th whether you use post-operative drains after emergency laparotomy or not. So we accept the null hypothesis and conclude the use of post-operative drains is not associated with deep surgical site infection on 3^rd and 7^th day.