DRAINAGE OF ΤΗΕ PERITONEAL CAVITY AFTER CHOLECYSTECTOMY

Abstract

Surgical tradition suggests drainage of the peritoneal cavity, after cholecystectomy. The drain removes bile collections from the gallbladder bed, the cystic duct or from a damaged bile duct, but also can easily reveal a haemorrhage leading to speedy and proper treatment. However, reports of cholecystectomy without drainage claim that the patients have a better postoperative course. In our Dept, we perform as a rule, drainage of subhepatic space, but in the last 10 years we began to forsake this prastice in elective cases. From a total of 2550 cholecystectomies we did not apply drainage in 92 patients. The fact that no complications was observed in this group, make us to believe that we could omit the drains in more patients. If the surgeon decides to put a drain, this must be removed in 48 hours because further prolongation of drainage may lead to various complications.