Duration of T-tube drainage after exploration of the common bile duct.

The optimal duration of T-tube drainage after choledochotomy is not known. In a randomized study, comparison was made between early (postoperative day 4) and late (day 7) removal of the T-tube. The evaluation was made on 62 patients, after exclusion of 20 because of retained stones, technically inadequate postoperative cholangiography, cholangitis or failed T-tube removal. The T-tube was removed on day 4 in 28 cases and on day 7 in 34. There were no clinically significant complications, but two patients with early and two with late removal had transient pyrexia. The mean postoperative stay in hospital was significantly shorter for the patients with early T-tube removal (8.2 vs. 9.8 days). The corresponding figures for the patients younger than 50 years were 7.1 vs. 9.1 days and for those older than 50 they were 8.7 vs. 10.1 days--both differences significant. The results indicated that early removal of choledochal T-tube drain does not increase postoperative morbidity and can significantly shorten the hospital stay.

RCT Entities:   Population Interventions Outcomes