Utility of Closed Suction Pelvic Drains at Time of Large Bowel Resection for Ovarian Cancer
Abstract
OBJECTIVE:
To test the hypothesis that the use of closed suction pelvic drains placed at time of large bowel resection (LBR) for ovarian cancer (OC) decrease morbidity following anastomotic leak (AL).
METHODS:
Consecutive cases of LBR for OC between 01/01/1994 and 06/20/2011 were retrospectively identified. Drains were routinely used until bowel movement. AL was defined as: 1) feculent fluid from drains/wound/vagina, 2) radiographic evidence of AL, or 3) AL found at reoperation. Descriptive statistics, Wilcoxon rank-sum, Pearson's chi-square and Fisher's exact test were used.
