Drainage versus Non-Drainage in Total Hip Arthroplasty. A Prospective Randomised Study

We present a prospective review of 23 patients having 25 primary total hip arthroplasties (THAs) over a two-month period. Patients were randomly allocated into two groups, one with wound drainage and the other without.

There were 12 hips in the Drain group and 13 hips in the No-drain group. Demographic characteristics and risk factors were similar in the two groups. The average wound score (ASEPSIS) was found to be higher for the No-drain group and this was statistically significant. In the No-drain group, 7 out of 13 hips developed infection (5 superficial and 2 deep). In the Drain group, 1 out of 12 hips developed deep infection. The difference in the average drop in the haemoglobin between the two groups was not statistically significant. In the Drain group, the average drainage volume was 463ml. The type of anaesthetic, duration of the operation, experience of the surgeon and the surgical approach used were not found to have a statistically significant correlation with postoperative wound infection.

Our small series supports the view that the use of closed suction drainage after THA results in lower incidences of drainage from the wound site and also of wound infection.