Abstract
There are considerable benefits, both for patients and hospitals, if operations are
done as day case procedures. Excision of a submandibular gland is a relatively common
operation and it is usual practice for surgeons to be cautious, admit the patient
for an overnight stay, and leave a drain in place. To assess the amount of postoperative
bleeding into the wound (and hence potential risk to the airway) we have studied prospectively
the amount of drainage that occurs. Sixty consecutive patients admitted for overnight
postoperative monitoring after excision of a submandibular gland had a suction drain
placed as part of the procedure. Drainage was measured by departmental staff at regular
intervals during the following 24 h. Nearly all the patients drained 40 ml or less (mean 18 ml) and in all cases there was a clear decrease in the volumes drained over the first
6–8 h postoperatively. Drainage then became negligible. The plateau in drainage was evident
regardless of the initial volume drained. Surgeons should be confident that drainage
will cease after 6–8 h in most patients, and residual drainage is negligible.
Keywords
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References
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: January 16, 2012
Accepted:
October 26,
2011
Identification
Copyright
© 2011 Published by Elsevier Inc.
