The use of postoperative suction drainage in total knee arthroplasty

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Reilly TJ. Gradisar IA Jr. Pakan W. Reilly M. x Clinical Orthopaedics & Related Research. [JC:dfy] (208):238-42, 1986 Jul. A retrospective review of 299 total knee arthroplasties performed between x 1973 and 1983 revealed 170 knees in which postoperative suction drainage x was used and 129 knees in which drains were not used. Comparison between x these two groups revealed no statistically significant difference in wound x problems, postoperative temperatures, or resulting range of motion. x However, blood transfusions were given more than twice as often to the x patients whose knees were drained (39% compared to 16%, p less than .01). x The drained group also had a greater decrease in hemoglobin than the x nondrained group (3.1 gm compared to 2.6 gm, p less than .01). In a review x of these patients, no advantage was found for the use of postoperative x suction drainage in the uncomplicated total knee arthroplasty. x