The association of surgical drains with surgical site infections - A prospective observational study.
BACKGROUND
Surgical drains are widely used despite limited evidence in their favor. This study describes the associations between drains and surgical site infections (SSI).


METHODS
This prospective observational double center study was performed in Switzerland between February 2013 and August 2015.


RESULTS
The odds of SSI in the presence of drains were increased in general (OR 2.41, 95%CI 1.32-4.30, p = 0.004), but less in vascular and not in orthopedic trauma surgery. In addition to the surgical division, the association between drains and SSI depended significantly on the duration of surgery (p = 0.01) and wound class (p = 0.034). Furthermore, the duration of drainage (OR 1.24, 95%CI 1.15-1.35, p < 0.001), the number (OR 1.74, 95%CI 1.09-2.74, p = 0.019) and type of drains (open versus closed: OR 3.68, 95%CI 1.88, 6.89, p < 0.001) as well as their location (overall p = 0.002) were significantly associated with SSI.


CONCLUSIONS
The general use of drains is discouraged. However, drains may be beneficial in specific surgical procedures.
['Mujagic|Edin|E|', 'Zeindler|Jasmin|J|', 'Coslovsky|Michael|M|', 'Hoffmann|Henry|H|', 'Soysal|Savas D|SD|', 'Mechera|Robert|R|', 'von Strauss|Marco|M|', 'Delko|Tarik|T|', 'Saxer|Franziska|F|', 'Glaab|Richard|R|', 'Kraus|Rebecca|R|', 'Mueller|Alexandra|A|', 'Curti|Gaudenz|G|', 'Gurke|Lorenz|L|', 'Jakob|Marcel|M|', 'Marti|Walter R|WR|', 'Weber|Walter P|WP|']
D000328:Adult D000368:Aged D004322:Drainage D005260:Female D006801:Humans D016015:Logistic Models D008297:Male D008875:Middle Aged D016017:Odds Ratio D061646:Operative Time D011446:Prospective Studies D012307:Risk Factors D013530:Surgical Wound Infection D013557:Switzerland
Surgical drains Surgical site infection Prospective observational study