A Comparative, Single-Blind, Randomized Trial of Pain Associated with Suction or Non-Suction Drains after Gynecologic Laparoscopy

Study Objective: To estimate the difference in pain associated with the wearing or removal of suction or non-suction drains after gynecologic laparoscopic surgery. Design: A randomized controlled trial from August 2006 through October 2007 (Canadian Task Force Classification I). Setting: Royal Hospital for Women, Department of Endo-Gynaecology and School of Women's and Children's Health University of New South Wales, Patients: A total of 168 women undergoing gynecologic laparoscopy requiring postoperative drainage. Interventions: Patients were randomized to receive either a suction or non-suction drain after surgery. Measurements and Main Results: Pain was assessed before, during, and after drain removal with a 4-point verbal descriptor scale and 10-cm visual analogue scale. Visual analogue scale and verbal descriptor scale scores for suction versus non-suction groups were 3 versus 3 (p = .654) and 1 versus 1 (p = .686) before removal, 9 versus 7 (p = .016) and 3 versus 2 (p = .029) during removal, and 7 versus 5 (p = .058) and 2 versus 2 (p = .122) after removal. Conclusion: There is no significant difference in patient discomfort while wearing or after removal of suction or non-suction drains. However, suction drains are more painful to have removed. Journal of Minimally Invasive Gynecology (2010) 17, 16-20 (C) 2010 AAGL. All rights reserved.