Drainage after cholecystectomy.

Sixty-one patients undergoing simple cholecystectomy and 12 undergoing cholecystectomy and exploration of the common bile duct were studied. The volumes produced from the abdominal drains were measured and the postoperative course observed and compared in all cases. The mean total drainage after simple cholecystectomy was 135 ml in 5 days and after cholecystectomy and exploration of the common bile duct 94 ml in 5 days. With such low volumes drained the majority of patients undergoing simple elective cholecystectomy do not need to be drained. In the small number of patients studied our results would also appear to indicate that a policy of non-drainage may be safe after cholecystectomy with exploration of the common bile duct or after cholecystectomy combined with other operative procedures--for example, vagotomy and pyloroplasty. If the surgeon decides to use a drain it would seem that the RediVac system is as efficient as other systems commonly used and is associated with less pain and fewer complications.