A Comparative, Single-Blind, Randomized Trial of Pain Associated with Suction or Non-Suction Drains after Gynecologic Laparoscopy

Abstract 

Study Objective

To estimate the difference in pain associated with the wearing or removal of suction or non-suction drains after gynecologic laparoscopic surgery.

Design

A randomized controlled trial from August 2006 through October 2007 (Canadian Task Force Classification I).

Setting

Royal Hospital for Women, Department of Endo-Gynaecology and School of Women's and Children's Health University of New South Wales.

Patients

A total of 168 women undergoing gynecologic laparoscopy requiring postoperative drainage.

Interventions

Patients were randomized to receive either a suction or non-suction drain after surgery.

Measurements and Main Results

Pain was assessed before, during, and after drain removal with a 4-point verbal descriptor scale and 10-cm visual analogue scale. Visual analogue scale and verbal descriptor scale scores for suction versus non-suction groups were 3 versus 3 (p=.654) and 1 versus 1 (p=.686) before removal, 9 versus 7 (p=.016) and 3 versus 2 (p=.029) during removal, and 7 versus 5 (p=.058) and 2 versus 2 (p=.122) after removal.

Conclusion

There is no significant difference in patient discomfort while wearing or after removal of suction or non-suction drains. However, suction drains are more painful to have removed.

Keywords: Drainage, Gynecologic laparoscopy, Non-suction drain, Pain, Suction drain