INTRODUCTION Controversy still surrounds the use of drains after total knee replacement (TKR). We compared closed suction drains, reinfusion drains and no drains by studying haemoglobin (Hb) levels, blood transfusion requirements and functional knee outcome scores in a single surgeon series. METHODS A total of 102 consecutive primary TKRs were performed by the senior author between September ...

OBJECTIVE To determine whether bacterial colonization of drains can be reduced by local antiseptic interventions. BACKGROUND Drains are a potential source of bacterial entry into surgical wounds and may contribute to surgical site infection after breast surgery. METHODS After institutional review board approval, patients undergoing total mastectomy and/or axillary lymph node dissection were...

BACKGROUND AND AIMS There is no consensus among surgeons on the indication of putting drains for in groin hernias. In this study we aimed to investigate the factors that are associated with drain usage by comparing the clinical characteristics of patients who had drains with the patients without drains in the repair of groin hernias. MATERIAL AND METHODS The data of all groin hernia repairs f...

Attractive toxic sugar baits (ATSBs) were used to control mosquitoes in the storm drains of a residential area on the outskirts of St Augustine, Florida. The drainage system was newly constructed and no mosquitoes were breeding inside it. The area covered by the storm drains was divided in half; 10 drains served as control drains and 16 drains served as experimental drains. The baits, which con...

In the past, it was generally advised that every patient undergoing thyroid surgery have a drain placed because of the fear of post-operative hematoma. In the past 9 years, we have performed 400 thyroidectomies. For the first 6 years, we drained the operative site in most of thyroid procedures. However, it was apparent from our experience that drains had very little effect on the prevention of ...

High- and low-pressure vacuum drains are commonly used after surgical procedures. High-pressure vacuum drains (ie, sealed, closed-circuit systems) are efficient and allow for easy monitoring and safe disposal of the drainage. Low-pressure vacuum drains use gentle pressure to evacuate excess fluid and air, and are easy for patients to manage at home because it is easy to reinstate the vacuum pre...

OBJECTIVES To evaluate the efficacy and practicality of a small-bore wire-guided chest drain for management of pleural space disease in dogs and cats. MATERIALS AND METHODS A 14 gauge chest drain was placed using a modified Seldinger technique in animals requiring ongoing management of pleural space disease. A questionnaire was used immediately after placement to collect data regarding the ea...

As a method of chest drainage, we analyzed the extended utility of silastic flexible drains (Blake drains, Ethicon, Inc., Somerville, NJ) for general thoracic surgery. In 420 cases of general thoracic surgery, Blake drains were used. To examine the utility of Blake drains, we investigated the diseases for which they were used, their effectiveness in addressing postoperative complications. The t...