Role of Negative Suction Drain in Subcutaneous Plane in Reducing Laprotomy Wound Infection

Surgical site infection is one of the most common postoperative complications. Surgical site infection rate higher in abdominal surgery. Even after thorough peritoneal irrigation with normal saline, the incidence of wound infection is high. The authors have studied the effectiveness of putting a negative suction drain (Romo-Vac Drain) in the subcutaneous space in prevention of wound infection and wound dehiscence in patients of midline laparotomy. The patients were divided in two groups, group A, where a negative suction drain was put, and Group B, where no negative suction drain was put in the subcutaneous space at the time of closure of the abdomen after laparotomy. In group A, incidence of surgical site infection, seroma formation, wound dehiscence and hospital stay was remarkably lower as compared to Group B, where no drain was put in subcutaneous space.