The clinical significance of suction drainage cultures.


Published online: Sep 27 1994

R Girvent, D Marti, and J M Muñoz.

Orthopedic Surgery Department, Hospital de Sabadell, Barcelona, Spain.

Abstract

A prospective study of 72 operations in which one or more suction drains were inserted, showed that cultures of the drains did not have any predictive value for the development of signs of infection. Protracted suction drainage could, however, increase the risk of postoperative infection.