The efficiency of suction drain usage in arthroscopic knee surgery

• Published in: Sanamed Vol. 13; no. 3; pp. 243 - 251
• Main Authors: Oncel, Cuneyt, Ozcan, Mert, Erem, Murat, Copuroglu, Cem, Ciftdemir, Mert, Turan, Nesrin
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Association of medical doctors Sanamed Novi Pazar 01.12.2018
• Subjects: hemarthrosis; knee arthroscopy; patellar shock; postoperative pain; Suction drain
• ISSN: 1452-662X; 2217-8171
• DOI: 10.24125/sanamed.v13i3.262

Aim: The study was designed to investigate the efficiency of suction drain after arthroscopic knee surgery. It is hypothesized that suction drain decreases postoperative hemarthrosis after arthroscopic knee surgery. Methods: Patients were randomized into two groups. Suction drain was used in Group I and no drain was used in Group II. The groups were compared in terms of rest and activity pain, range of motion, Lysholm and International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) scores, patellar shock, need for postoperative knee puncture, amount of drainage, time of hospitalization, and loss of labor. Arthroscopic interventions like meniscectomy, synovectomy, meniscus repair and microfracture were also compared for the amount of patellar shock, need for postoperative knee puncture and amount of drainage. Results: The difference for activity pain and range of motion between the two groups was statistically nonsignificant. Rest pain improved faster in control group. Lysholm and IKDC scores were improved in both groups but the amount of increase was statistically nonsignificant. The amount of patellar shock was also statistically nonsignificant between the two groups. The amount of patellar shock, need for postoperative knee puncture and amount of drainage were also statistically nonsignifiant for arthroscopic interventions like meniscectomy and synovectomy. Conclusions: Suction drain application was unnecessary in many situations after arthroscopic knee surgery in this study. Although suction drain usage delayed the recovery from postoperative pain in this study, other parameters of pain were not affected from suction drain usage. Routine usage of a suction drain after arthroscopic knee surgery was not recommended.