Assessment of the Effectiveness of Preventive Drainage in Abdominal Surgery (Literature Review)

Removal of pathological accumulations in the abdominal cavity is an important task of modern abdominal surgery. The key methods for eliminating these pathologies are punctures, aspiration and surgical interventions with drainage installation. For many decades, prophylactic drainage was considered the standard aimed at preventing complications such as infection and fluid accumulation. However, recent studies question the advisability of routine use of drains, drawing attention to possible side effects, including delayed healing and an increased risk of secondary infections. The aim of this work is to comprehensively assess the role of prophylactic drainage in abdominal surgery, as well as to determine the indications for its use. The study analyzed current scientific data, including the results of meta-analyses and randomized controlled trials. The consequences of drain use, their impact on complication rates, length of hospital stay and general condition of patients were considered. The results of the study show that the universal use of drains in abdominal surgery is often not justified. In some cases, drainage may lead to complications, including infection of the drainage canal and increased pain. However, drains remain necessary in the treatment of patients with a high risk of bleeding, the presence of purulent-inflammatory processes or after extensive resections. The findings of the work emphasize the importance of an individual approach to the choice of drainage tactics. The decision to install drains should be made taking into account the clinical picture, the nature of the surgical intervention and the general condition of the patient. This approach allows to minimize complications, shorten the rehabilitation period and increase the effectiveness of treatment, which makes it an important component of modern surgical practice.