Invasive entries disturbing the skin integrity such as drains, cannulas and percutaneously inserted osteosynthetic materials infection risk factors. Currently, a discussion is underway as to whether surgical wounds in joint replacements should be drained or not.
Methods: Examined over the period of three years were samples of 198 patients after the total endoprosthesis (TEP) implantation, or after TEP revision or re-implantation for an aseptic release. These were the knee or hip joints TEP.
The Redon drains were inserted in a standardised method in conventional topical conditions. The samples were processed in the IFCOR 99 Molecular Genetics Laboratory.
Using the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) method were carried out for each collected sample (irrigation solution as well as a part of the drain). Conclusion: It has been confirmed that draining a surgical wound is a standard and safe method which is clearly beneficial to the patient by minimising local risks to the wound healing.
The evaluation of outcomes also indicates that there is no need for an individual approach to drainage systems in different types of implants. Based on the outcomes of this study, we recommend retaining drains until the second postoperative day.