No need for routine closed suction drainage in elective arthroplasty of the hip: a prospective randomized trial in 104 operations.

Overview

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to determine the utility of closed suction drainage (CSD) in elective total hip arthroplasty (THA). PATIENTS AND METHODS: We randomized 104 elective, consecutive THAs to receive drainage (53) or no drainage (51). 60 arthroplasties were cemented and 44 hybrid. RESULTS: In the drainage group, 2 hematomas and 2 superficial wound infections occurred; there were no wound complications in the undrained group (p = 0.04). Patients receiving drainage had a greater reduction in hematocrit (10.4 vs 7.4) (p = 0.03), and longer hospital stay (5.1 days vs 4.7) (p = 0.01). At the 3-month follow-up, we found no deep wound infections in either group. INTERPRETATION: We no longer use CSD in elective, primary, routine THA.