Drain Versus No Drain in Open Mesh Repair for Incisional Hernia, Results of a Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial

Background Open mesh repair of incisional hernia is associated with different local complications, particularly bleeding and seroma formation. Traditionally, drains have been placed perioperatively to prevent these complications, despite the lack of scientific evidence or expert consensus. We formulated the hypothesis that the absence of drainage would reduce number of patients presenting collections or complications. The present study aimed to compare postoperative complication rates after open mesh repair for incisional hernia with or without prophylactic wound drainage. Methods Prospective randomized study using standardized surgical technique and drain placement. The primary endpoint was the evaluation of residual fluid collection with ultrasound on postoperative day 30. Other complications, subdivided into medical and surgical, were analyzed as secondary endpoints. Results There were 144 patients randomized (70 with drain, 74 without drain). No difference was identified between both groups for fluid collection at 30 days (60.3% vs. 62%, p = 0.844). However, less surgical complications were identified in the drain group (21.7% vs. 42.7%, p = 0.007), with a lower wound dehiscence rate (1.5% vs. 9.3%, p = 0.041). Conclusions Prophylactic drainage in open incisional hernia repair does not objectively reduce the rate of postoperative fluid collections. Therefore, our results do not support the use of routine drainage in incisional hernia repair.

Automated summary

This study compared the incidence of postoperative complications in open mesh repair for incisional hernia with prophylactic wound drainage and without drainage. The results showed that prophylactic drainage did not reduce the rate of postoperative fluid collection, therefore not supporting the routine use of drainage in incisional hernia repair.