Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy with or without Abdominal Drain in Benign Non Complicated Gall Bladder Disease

Abstract Background Gallstone disease is the pathologic state of stones or calculi within the gallbladder lumen and biliary tree. This is a common digestive disorder worldwide, with occurrence varying from 6-20%. Patients and Methods This study was done on 60 patients from Ain Shams University Hospitals and El- Sahel teaching hospital, who were provisional diagnosed with chronic calcular cholecystitis. Patients were randomly allocated into 2 groups, 30 patients for each group. Group (A) Lap cholecystectomy with a drain and Group (B) Lap cholecystectomy without a drain, then the two groups were compared according to operative time, length of hospital stay, postoperative pain and post-operative complications as wound infection, fever and bile leakage. Results The collected data showed that the operative time was significantly longer in the drain group, also post-operative pain showed significant difference between the two groups being more in the drain group. This study showed significant difference in length of hospital stay which is more in drain type. However no significant difference in post-operative complications between both groups. The benefits of not inserting a drain include a reduction in hospital stay, post-operative pain. a higher incidence of longer hospital stay and post-operative pain associated with drainage. Conclusion This randomized controlled trial concludes that the routine use of a drain in uncomplicated elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy has no benefit; in contrast, it is associated with longer hospital stay and more post-operative pain, however beginner or under training surgeons prefer to leave a drain if they are worry about post-operative complication hemorrhage or bile leak.