Types of drains and its uses in general surgery

The indications and effectiveness of the drains remains the subject of intense controversy. The use of surgical drains has decreased in recent years as the evidence for benefit is questioned. Their use is not without complications and therefore, they should be judiciously used. There are no rigid guidelines for the indications of drains. It is a matter of personal preference but it is still recommended in certain surgical procedures Surgeons are classified into three categories based on their use of drains: those who believe that all intraperitoneal operations should be drained, those who feel that drainage is useless and those who sit on the fence and insert a drain as a safety valve Arguments for their use include that drainage of fluid removes potential sources of infection. Drains guard against further fluid collections. They may allow the early detection of anastomotic leaks or hemorrhage. They leave a tract for potential collections to drain following removal Arguments against their use include that: presence of a drain increases the risk of infection. Damage may be caused by mechanical pressure or suction. Drains may induce an anastomotic leak. Most drains e.g. abdominal drains infective within 24 hours.