Value of prophylactic drainage after cholecystectomy: a retrospective study

ABSTRACT

Detection of the value of prophylactic drainage after cholecystectomy. A retrospective study which was carried on 98 patients to whom cholecystectomies were done in NHTMRI between January 2008 and October 2010. The patients were divided into two groups concerning the surgical technique whether open or laparoscopic; further subdivision into two groups where prophylactic drain was fixed or not was done. During the period of the study, 98 cholecystectomies were done, 56 cases were done laparoscopically [prophylactic drains were fixed in 12 cases and the remaining 44 without drains]. The other 42 cases were done by open surgical technique [40 cases with drains and 2 without]. Post-operative follow up revealed faster return to normal gastrointestinal activity and earlier hospital discharge in the no drain group. Prophylactic drain placement cannot be advocated following simple cholecystectomy either laparoscopic or open