SynthesisThe Cochrane database of systematic reviews2004
Prophylactic anastomotic drainage for colorectal surgery.
Synthesis in The Cochrane database of systematic reviews, 2004. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. It is linked to trial NCT00646412 (A Prospective, Randomised, Controlled, Single-blind Phase I-II Clinical Trial on the Safety of A-Part® Gel as Adhesion Prophylaxis After Major Abdominal Surgery Versus a Non-treated Group), which is not on this map. Cited by 69 papers, 9 of them syntheses that pooled it.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
A Prospective, Randomised, Controlled, Single-blind Phase I-II Clinical Trial on the Safety of A-Part® Gel as Adhesion Prophylaxis After Major Abdominal Surgery Versus a Non-treated Group
Who cites it
69 citing papers in PubMed, 9 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 201 citations in OpenAlex.
- Omentoplasty Decreases Leak Rate After Esophagectomy: a Meta-analysis.Journal of gastrointestinal surgery : official journal of the Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract · 2020Pooled it
- Abdominal drainage to prevent intra-peritoneal abscess after open appendectomy for complicated appendicitis.The Cochrane database of systematic reviews · 2018Pooled it
- Peritoneal fluid biomarkers in the detection of colorectal anastomotic leaks: a systematic review.International journal of colorectal disease · 2017Pooled it
- Prophylactic abdominal drainage for pancreatic surgery.The Cochrane database of systematic reviews · 2016Pooled it
- Meta-analysis of the laparoscopic versus open colorectal surgery within fast track surgery.International journal of colorectal disease · 2016Pooled it
- Pooled it
- Enhancing surgical performance outcomes through process-driven care: a systematic review.World journal of surgery · 2014Pooled it
- Guidelines for perioperative care in elective rectal/pelvic surgery: Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS(®)) Society recommendations.World journal of surgery · 2013Guideline
- Prophylactic anastomotic drainage for colorectal surgery.The Cochrane database of systematic reviews · 2004Pooled it
- Fast Track versus Conventional Perioperative Care Protocols in Paediatric Intestinal Stoma Closure ‒ A Randomised Study.African journal of paediatric surgery : AJPS · 2024Trial
- Polymerase chain reaction for Enterococcus faecalis in drain fluid: the first screening test for symptomatic colorectal anastomotic leakage. The Appeal-study: analysis of parameters predictive for evident anastomotic leakage.International journal of colorectal disease · 2014Trial
- Multimodal biomarker panel for early prediction of anastomotic leak after colorectal surgery: from inflammation to ischemia.Frontiers in surgery · 2026Review
- The role of intraabdominal drain placement in minimal-invasive right hemicolectomy with complete mesocolic excision - a propensity score matched single center analysis.International journal of colorectal disease · 2025Article
- Review
- Enhanced rehabilitation after surgery: principles in the treatment of emergency complicated colorectal cancers - a narrative review.Journal of medicine and life · 2025Review
- Implementing a no-drain policy for extraperitoneal colorectal anastomosis in a real-life setting: analysis of outcomes and surgeons' adherence.International journal of colorectal disease · 2024Article
- Prophylactic Intra-abdominal Drains in Major Elective Surgeries: A Comprehensive Review.Cureus · 2024Review
- Abdominal drainage after elective colorectal surgery: propensity score-matched retrospective analysis of an Italian cohort.BJS open · 2024Article
- Early Small Bowel Obstruction Caused by Surgical Drain Following Rectal Cancer Surgery: A Case Report.Cureus · 2024Article
- Consensus Guidelines for Perioperative Care for Emergency Laparotomy Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERASWorld journal of surgery · 2023Review
9 more citing papers are in PubMed but not listed here.
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
5 authors at 4 institutions in 1 country.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundThere is little agreement on prophylactic use of drains in anastomoses in elective colorectal surgery despite many randomized clinical trials. Results of these trials are contradictory, quality and statistical power of these individual studies have been questioned. Once anastomotic leakage has occurred it is generally agreed that drains should be used for therapeutic purposes. However, on prophylactic use no such agreement exists.
objectivesComparison of safety and effectiveness of routine drainage and non-drainage regimes after colorectal surgery. The following hypothesis was tested: The use of prophylactic anastomotic drainage after elective colorectal surgery does not prevent development of complications. SEARCH STRATEGY: The studies were identified from CINAHL, EMBASE, LILACS, MEDLINE, Controlled Clinical Trials Database, Trials Register of the Cochrane Colorectal Cancer Group, reference lists. SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomized controlled trials comparing drainage with non-drainage regimes after anastomoses in elective colorectal surgery were reviewed. Outcome measures were: 1. mortality; 2. clinical anastomotic dehiscence; 3. radiological anastomotic dehiscence; 4. wound infection; 5. reoperation; 6. extra-abdominal complications. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Data were independently extracted and cross-checked by the two reviewers. The methodological quality of each trial was assessed. Details of the randomization (generation and concealment), blinding, and the number of patients lost to follow-up were recorded. The RCTs were stratified based on experimental group, according to clinical homogeneity (external validity). MAIN
resultsOf the 1140 patients enrolled (6 RCTs), 573 were allocated for drainage and 567 for no drainage. The patients assigned to the drainage group compared with the ones assigned to non-drainage group showed: a) Mortality: 3% (18 of 573 patients) compared with 4% (25 of 567 patients); b) Clinical anastomotic dehiscence: 2% (11 of 522 patients) compared with 1% (7 of 519 patients); c) Radiological anastomotic dehiscence: 3% (16 of 522 patients) compared with 4% (19 of 519 patients); d) Wound infection: 5% (29 of 573 patients) compared with 5% (28 of 567 patients); e) Reintervention: 6% (34 of 542 patients) compared with 5% (28 of 539 patients); f) Extra abdominal complications: 7% (34 of 522 patients) compared with 6% (32 of 519 patients). REVIEWERS'
conclusionsThere is insufficient evidence showing that routine drainage after colorectal anastomoses prevents anastomotic and other complications.
Indexed as
Identifiers
What OpenQuestion holds
Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.