SynthesisThe Cochrane database of systematic reviews2007
Closed suction surgical wound drainage after orthopaedic surgery.
Synthesis in The Cochrane database of systematic reviews, 2007. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. It is linked to trial NCT01608854 (Prospective, Randomized Study of the Utilization of Antibiotics and Drains in Spinal Surgery), which is not on this map. Cited by 100 papers, 16 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.
Prospective, Randomized Study of the Utilization of Antibiotics and Drains in Spinal Surgery
Who cites it
100 citing papers in PubMed, 16 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 300 citations in OpenAlex.
- Abdominal drainage to prevent intraperitoneal abscess after appendectomy for complicated appendicitis.The Cochrane database of systematic reviews · 2025Pooled it
- Cell salvage for minimising perioperative allogeneic blood transfusion in adults undergoing elective surgery.The Cochrane database of systematic reviews · 2023Pooled it
- Closed-suction drainage in thoracolumbar spinal surgery-clinical routine without evidence? a systematic review.European spine journal : official publication of the European Spine Society, the European Spinal Deformity Society, and the European Section of the Cervical Spine Research Society · 2022Pooled it
- Prophylactic abdominal drainage for pancreatic surgery.The Cochrane database of systematic reviews · 2021Pooled it
- Abdominal drainage to prevent intra-peritoneal abscess after appendectomy for complicated appendicitis.The Cochrane database of systematic reviews · 2021Pooled it
- Risk-benefit analysis of wound drain usage in spine surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis with evidence summary.European spine journal : official publication of the European Spine Society, the European Spinal Deformity Society, and the European Section of the Cervical Spine Research Society · 2020Pooled it
- Prophylactic abdominal drainage for pancreatic surgery.The Cochrane database of systematic reviews · 2018Pooled it
- Abdominal drainage to prevent intra-peritoneal abscess after open appendectomy for complicated appendicitis.The Cochrane database of systematic reviews · 2018Pooled it
- The current state of the evidence for the use of drains in spinal surgery: systematic review.European spine journal : official publication of the European Spine Society, the European Spinal Deformity Society, and the European Section of the Cervical Spine Research Society · 2017Pooled it
- Wound drainage for lower limb arterial surgery.The Cochrane database of systematic reviews · 2016Pooled it
- Prophylactic abdominal drainage for pancreatic surgery.The Cochrane database of systematic reviews · 2016Pooled it
- Wound drainage after plastic and reconstructive surgery of the breast.The Cochrane database of systematic reviews · 2015Pooled it
- The use of postoperative suction drainage in total knee arthroplasty: a systematic review.International orthopaedics · 2015Pooled it
- Risk factors for wound complications of closed calcaneal fractures after surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Scandinavian journal of trauma, resuscitation and emergency medicine · 2015Pooled it
- Do we really need closed-suction drainage in total hip arthroplasty? A meta-analysis.International orthopaedics · 2013Pooled it
- Recommendations for the transfusion management of patients in the peri-operative period. III. The post-operative period.Blood transfusion = Trasfusione del sangue · 2011Guideline
- Drain versus no-drain at the donor sites of iliac crest bone graft: a retrospective study.Journal of orthopaedic surgery and research · 2024Trial
- Prophylactic Closed Suction Drainage Is Irrelevant to Accelerated Rehabilitation after Open Reduction and Internal Fixation for Closed Distal Femur Fractures.Orthopaedic surgery · 2020Trial
- Role of closed drain after multi-level posterior spinal surgery in adults: a randomised open-label superiority trial.European spine journal : official publication of the European Spine Society, the European Spinal Deformity Society, and the European Section of the Cervical Spine Research Society · 2019Trial
- Closed Suction Drainage Is Not Associated with Faster Recovery after Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Prospective Randomized Controlled Study of 80 Patients.Orthopaedic surgery · 2016Trial
40 more citing papers are in PubMed but not listed here.
Corrections and comments
- Update of
Authors and funding
4 authors at 2 institutions in 2 countries.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundClosed suction drainage systems are frequently used to drain fluids, particularly blood, from surgical wounds. The aim of these systems is to reduce the occurrence of wound haematomas and infection.
objectivesTo evaluate the effectiveness of closed suction drainage systems for orthopaedic surgery. SEARCH STRATEGY: We searched the Cochrane Bone, Joint and Muscle Trauma Group Specialised Register (March 2006), and contacted the Cochrane Wounds Group. We also searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (The Cochrane Library 2006, Issue 1), and MEDLINE (1966 to March 2006). Articles of all languages were considered. SELECTION CRITERIA: All randomised or quasi-randomised trials comparing the use of closed suction drainage systems with no drainage systems for all types of elective and emergency orthopaedic surgery. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two authors independently assessed trial quality, using a nine item scale, and extracted data. Where appropriate, results of comparable studies were pooled. MAIN
resultsThirty-six studies involving 5464 participants with 5697 surgical wounds were identified. The types of surgery involved were hip and knee replacement, shoulder surgery, hip fracture surgery, spinal surgery, cruciate ligament reconstruction, open meniscectomy and fracture fixation surgery. Pooling of results indicated no statistically significant difference in the incidence of wound infection, haematoma, dehiscence or re-operations between those allocated to drains and the un-drained wounds. Blood transfusion was required more frequently in those who received drains. The need for reinforcement of wound dressings and the occurrence of bruising were more common in the group without drains. AUTHORS'
conclusionsThere is insufficient evidence from randomised trials to support the routine use of closed suction drainage in orthopaedic surgery. Further randomised trials with larger patient numbers are required for different operations before definite conclusions can be made for all types of orthopaedic operations.
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.