Estudio prospectivo randomizado sobre el uso de drenaje vs. no drenaje en artroplastia total de rodilla. [Prospective randomized study on the use of drainage in total knee arthroplasty.]

Introduction The use of drainage in total knee arthroplasty is a widely accepted practice in Orthopedics; however, there is not conclusive evidence about its benefit in the literature. The purpose of this study was to compare two groups of patients in whom primary total knee arthroplasty with and without drainage was performed. Methods Prospective randomized study in which 76 primary total knee arthroplasties were performed; patients were divided into two groups: group A, with drainage, and group B, without drainage. The number of transfusions, the drainage debit, postoperative complications and length of hospital stay were evaluated. Diameter of the thigh, range of motion, hematocrit and hemoglobin were also recorded before and after surgery in both groups. Results No statistically significant differences were found in thigh diameter, range of motion, hematocrit, hemoglobin, number of transfusions, and hospital stay. The number of complications in group B (without drainage) was higher (P = 0.019): two deep infections, two cases of cellulitis, one case of blebs, a hip fracture, a superficial vein thrombosis, a deep venous thrombosis, and one pulmonary thromboembolism. Conclusion Patients without postoperative drainage presented a higher number of complications.