TO LOCAL CHANGES AND EFFECTS OF DRAINS IN THE ABDOMEN

In a prospective randomised study 30 mongrel rabbits recieved two stan dard colon-resections. Three types of drains were testee: (lates-rubbe r-) Penrose-drains, rubbertube- and silikontube-drains, which were pla ced in the lower abdomen. As a closed drainage-system the extraperiton eal tip of the drain was placed in a closed subcutis-pocket. One of th e two colon-anastomoses also was drained. The findings were recorded o n the 7th postoperative day. A single mechanic alteration was found, a n ulcer caused by a silicon-drain, that pushed against the abdominal w all. The other signs of mechanic irritation were microscopically unspe cified inflammatory reactions to the foreign body drain. There was no ascending infection caused by the drain. All infections came from comp lications of the colon resections. In contrast to common opinions the drains in the lower abdomen showed no adhesions to the abdominal wall or organs. Only the entrance of the drain into the peritoneum and the cotton-gaze of Penrose-drains showed in nearly all cases adhesions, Th e large amount of adhesions to the anastomosis-drains came from compli cations of the colon-anastomoses. As a cause of material, rubber-and l atex-rubber-drains showed large fibrin-clotts on their surfaces. 7 day s after the operation only about 20% of the drains had sufficient func tion. The rest was occluded by fibrin-clotts in the lumen of the drain or the cotton-gaze. Over all there is no difference in changes and ef fects of the three different types of drains, but silicon as material showed advantages.