Complications in total knee arthroplasty with and without surgical drainage

J South Orthop Assoc. 2000 Fall;9(3):207-12.

Abstract

The standard practice in total joint arthroplasty has included the use of postsurgical drains to minimize perioperative wound complications, particularly infection. This practice is not without cost and potential morbidity. Our recent cemented and cementless total knee arthroplasties (TKAs) have been done without the use of postoperative surgical drains and without any appreciable increase in wound complications. To confirm this, we retrospectively reviewed 227 consecutive TKAs, specifically evaluating perioperative wound complications. No statistical increase in perioperative complications in TKAs without drains was found. A lower percentage of complications was seen in the cementless population when compared with cemented or drained knees. We suggest that surgical drainage is not required in TKA, even when cementless fixation is used.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee*
  • Bone Cements
  • Drainage*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Postoperative Care*
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Surgical Wound Infection / epidemiology
  • Surgical Wound Infection / prevention & control

Substances

  • Bone Cements