Drainage after elective cholecystectomy: a prospective study.

Prospective analysis of 100 consecutive patients who underwent elective cholecystectomy with drainage over a one year period is presented. Drainage after cholecystectomy detected bleeding and bile leak in four patients. Conservative management of bile leak was adequate in two patients while one patient with bleeding required re-exploration. Drainage did not increase morbidity in the form of wound infection, hospital stay or rate of other complications. After cholecystectomy routine drainage through the right flank is recommended.