Drain Placement After Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy: A Cross-Sectional Study

Objective: In laparoscopic cholecystectomy, Drain placement is decreasing morbidity, Although Drain is not required in all cases. Study Design: Cross-sectional study Place and Duration of Study: General Surgical Department of CMH, Rawalpindi, Pakistan from Mar 2017 to Sep 2017. Methodology: A total of 100 male & female participants, aged 20-40 years, who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy with gallstones ≤ 6 in numbers (size < 3cm) on ultrasound, duration of complaint > 6 months, and ASA grade I and II were included. All the patients were operated under general anesthesia by a consultant surgeon with a minimum of 3 years of post-fellowship experience and well-versed in laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Abdominal ultrasonography of all patients was performed on the first postoperative day with the goal to detect any fluid collection. The drain was placed if the volume of subhepatic fluid collection was ≥ 60 mL (large volume of subhepatic fluid) detected at the ultrasonographic examination. Data regarding patients needing drain was noted by the researcher himself and recorded on especially designed proforma. Results: Out of 165 participants, 76(46%) were males and 89(54%) were females. Of the total participants, 29 patients needed drain after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The mean age of participants was 31.5±4.85 years, the mean duration of complaint was 9.3±2.35 months, the mean volume of subhepatic fluid was 38.040±17.12 ml and the mean weight of the patient was 77.780±11.44 kg. Conclusion: Obese individuals and subjects with large volumes of subhepatic fluid during laparoscopic cholecystectomy may need drainage.