CLOSED WOUND DRAINAGE IN SHOULDER SURGERY

To evaluate the effectiveness of closed wound drainage in shoulder sur gery, 300 patients were enrolled in a prospective randomized study. Th ree operations were studied: rotator cuff repair, anterior reconstruct ion For instability, and arthroplasty. One hundred patients were inclu ded in each group. All patients were evaluated For wound hematoma, inf ection, variation in postoperative rehabilitation caused by wound prob lems, and length of hospital stay. No statistical difference was Found between the patients whose wounds were drained and those whose wounds were not drained. This finding existed within each category. Our data do not support the routine use of closed wound drainage in elective s houlder surgery.