'No Drain' Strategy for Post-operative Orthopaedic Cases.
- 1Orthopaedics, Sumandeep Vidyapeeth Deemed to be University, Vadodara, IND.
- 2Orthopaedics, Akshar Multispeciality Hospital, Vadodara, IND.
Abstract
Background Post-operative wound management plays an important role in orthopaedic recovery. Closed-suction drains are commonly used to reduce wound collection, hematoma, seroma, and tension; however, their routine use remains debatable due to concerns about increased blood loss, transfusion requirements, discomfort, prolonged hospital stay, infection risk, cost, and additional drain-site scarring. Aim To evaluate the results of the 'No Drain' strategy in post-operative orthopaedic cases. Materials and methods This prospective observational study was conducted from September 2024 to April 2026 after ethical approval. A total of 114 patients undergoing clean orthopaedic surgeries were divided equally into Group A and Group B, with 57 patients in each group. Group A was managed without a drain, while Group B was managed with a closed negative suction drain. The study included arthroplasty, trauma, spine, and arthroscopy procedures. Outcomes assessed included post-operative hemoglobin drop, packed cell volume (PCV) transfusion requirement, hospital stay, complications, Visual Analogue Scale score (VAS), Stony Brook Scar Evaluation Scale score (SBSES), and drain-related cost. Results Group A had significantly lower post-operative hemoglobin drop than Group B (1.40 ± 0.69 g/dL vs 1.91 ± 0.80 g/dL; p < 0.001) and lower PCV transfusion requirement (0.72 ± 0.80 vs 1.18 ± 1.04 units; p = 0.010). Hospital stay was shorter in Group A (3.00 ± 0.00 vs 4.49 ± 1.70 days; p < 0.001). Complications were fewer in Group A (3.5% vs 17.5%; p = 0.015). Group A also showed a better VAS score (2.42 ± 1.12 vs 4.12 ± 1.56; p < 0.001) and SBSES score (3.88 ± 0.89 vs 2.89 ± 0.94; p < 0.001). Conclusion The 'No Drain' strategy is safe, effective, patient-friendly, and cost-saving in clean post-operative orthopaedic cases. Routine drains should be used selectively.
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BibTeX
@article{shah2026drain,
title = {{'No Drain' Strategy for Post-operative Orthopaedic Cases.}},
author = {Manish R Shah and Ravi Undhad and Tarun Das and Shubham M Nagar and Sankalp S Jain and Harsh Suthar},
journal = {Cureus},
year = {2026},
month = sep,
doi = {10.7759/cureus.116690},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42923196},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - 'No Drain' Strategy for Post-operative Orthopaedic Cases.
AU - Manish R Shah
AU - Ravi Undhad
AU - Tarun Das
AU - Shubham M Nagar
AU - Sankalp S Jain
AU - Harsh Suthar
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/09/21
JO - Cureus
DO - 10.7759/cureus.116690
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42923196
AB - Background Post-operative wound management plays an important role in orthopaedic recovery. Closed-suction drains are commonly used to reduce wound collection, hematoma, seroma, and tension; however, their routine use remains debatable due to concerns about increased blood loss, transfusion requirements, discomfort, prolonged hospital stay, infection risk, cost, and additional drain-site scarring. Aim To evaluate the results of the 'No Drain' strategy in post-operative orthopaedic cases. Materials and methods This prospective observational study was conducted from September 2024 to April 2026 after ethical approval. A total of 114 patients undergoing clean orthopaedic surgeries were divided equally into Group A and Group B, with 57 patients in each group. Group A was managed without a drain, while Group B was managed with a closed negative suction drain. The study included arthroplasty, trauma, spine, and arthroscopy procedures. Outcomes assessed included post-operative hemoglobin drop, packed cell volume (PCV) transfusion requirement, hospital stay, complications, Visual Analogue Scale score (VAS), Stony Brook Scar Evaluation Scale score (SBSES), and drain-related cost. Results Group A had significantly lower post-operative hemoglobin drop than Group B (1.40 ± 0.69 g/dL vs 1.91 ± 0.80 g/dL; p < 0.001) and lower PCV transfusion requirement (0.72 ± 0.80 vs 1.18 ± 1.04 units; p = 0.010). Hospital stay was shorter in Group A (3.00 ± 0.00 vs 4.49 ± 1.70 days; p < 0.001). Complications were fewer in Group A (3.5% vs 17.5%; p = 0.015). Group A also showed a better VAS score (2.42 ± 1.12 vs 4.12 ± 1.56; p < 0.001) and SBSES score (3.88 ± 0.89 vs 2.89 ± 0.94; p < 0.001). Conclusion The 'No Drain' strategy is safe, effective, patient-friendly, and cost-saving in clean post-operative orthopaedic cases. Routine drains should be used selectively.
SN - 2168-8184
ER -