“Postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) is a potentially devastating complication after pancreatic resection, seen in 5% to 30% of patients. Depending on severity, POPF may be associated with infectious complications, reoperation, increased length of hospital stay, readmission, and even death. Historically, surgeons placed drains routinely for many abdominal procedures to control potential leaks from various anastomoses. However, this practice has been abandoned by many surgeons over the last 2 decades because no benefit to routine abdominal drainage has been observed from several randomized controlled trials for resections of the colon and rectum, gallbladder, and liver.”

“This detailed single-institution study of 709 consecutive patients who underwent elective PD at a high-volume center is one of the largest to be reported. Our work provides increasing evidence that routine primary drain placement is unnecessary and may contribute to excess morbidity in pancreatic resection. We advocate against the routine use of a primary drain for elective pancreaticoduodenectomy.”

Mehta VV, et al . Is it time to abandon routine operative drain use? A single institution assessment of 709 consecutive pancreaticoduodenectomies. J Am Coll Surg. 2013 Apr;216(4):635-42; discussion 642-4 Full Text for Emory Users