Vol. 2, Issue 1, Part A (2018)

Background: Surgery is necessary to completely cure gallstone disease, one of the most prevalent bile system conditions known to man. Gallstones are the most prevalent & expensive digestive condition in India, & they are a leading reason for hospitalisation. For patients with gallstones, laparoscopic cholecystectomy offers a safe & efficient treatment because it minimises postoperative pain, leaves an almost undetectable scar, requires less hospitalisation, & allows patients to return to work sooner.

Aim: To assess the value of drain in patients of uncomplicated laparoscopic cholecystectomy by comparing the findings in the patients without drain.

Methods: The present case control study was conducted in the department of Surgery among 50 patients in each group, aged 18 years & above undergoing elective Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy. Patients were divided randomly into two groups i.e. Group A (50): Sub hepatic drain was brought out through anterior axillary port & Group B (50): Non-drainage of subhepatic space. Haemogram, kidney function test, triple markers, liver-function tests, pre-operative chest x- ray, ECG & ultra-sonography of whole abdomen was done in all case. For statistical analysis, the means & standard deviations of the measurements for each group were utilised (SPSS 22.00 for Windows; SPSS inc, Chicago, USA).

Results: Mean age in group A & B was 39.82±12.51 & 44.32±14.56 years. Mean operative time (in min) in group A & B was 34.10±4.15 & 31.94±4.21. Shoulder tip pain was reported among 12% of the subjects in group A & B respectively. Mean pain score in group A & B was 5.90±1.50 & 4.14±0.81. When groups were compared according to mean pain score, it was found to be statistically significant as p<0.05.

Conclusion: For patients having an elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy, there is no practical advantage to postoperative drain insertion. Regarding the reduction of postoperative pain, shoulder discomfort, nausea, vomiting, & fever, it provides no advantages.