IS SUCTION DRAINAGE NECESSARY AFTER TOTAL JOINT ARTHROPLASTY - A PROSPECTIVE-STUDY

A prospective evaluation of 98 patients who had undergone a total hip or knee arthroplasty was conducted to assess the effect of postoperati ve suction drainage. Sixty-six patients undergoing elective total hip arthroplasty and 32 patients undergoing total knee replacement were ra ndomly allocated to undergo either suction drainage or no drainage of the wound. Statistical analysis of the results showed no difference in wound healing, severity of wound haematoma, postoperative blood trans fusion requirement, range of motion and duration of the hospitalizatio n between the two groups. We conclude that the use of closed suction d rainage provides no apparent advantage after uncomplicated total hip o r knee arthroplasty.