The Effectiveness of Superficial Drain to Reduce Surgical Site Infection in Colorectal Surgery

Background The incidence of surgical site infection (SSI) in colorectal surgery is high, which can complicate and delay postoperative recovery. This study mainly aims to evaluate the efficacy of subcutaneous drains in decreasing superficial surgical site infection in colorectal surgery patients. Study design This is a retrospective cohort study that included patients over 16 years old who underwent colorectal surgery from the 1st of January 2015 till the 31st of December 2020. Patients were divided into two groups, with and without a subcutaneous drain. The incidence of superficial SSI was measured as the primary objective, and the incidence of other complications like seromas, hematomas, and wound dehiscence was measured as the secondary objectives or outcomes. Chi-square and Fisher’s exact were used to analyze the data, and a p-value less than 0.05 was accepted for significance. Results A total of 208 patients who underwent colorectal surgery in our hospital were included. Of these, 29 had a subcutaneous drain, and 179 did not have a subcutaneous drain. Although the incidence of dehiscence was higher in the drain group, the overall incidence of superficial SSI (20.7%) and seroma/hematoma (3.4%) in patients with subcutaneous drains was lower than without subcutaneous drains (25.7% and 7.8%, respectively). However, no statistical significance was found between drain presence and complications. Conclusion In conclusion, this study demonstrated a lower incidence of superficial SSI and seroma/hematoma in patients with a subcutaneous drain than those who did not have a drain.