[Slit drainage--progress in drainage treatment after herniotomy].

In a prospective randomized study was conducted on 80 patients undergoing elective hernia repair to assess whether a new slit-suction drainage is less painful than a Redon-suction drainage. Main endpoint of the study was the traction power in order to remove the drain. Other endpoints were pain at the time of removal of the drain and the effectiveness to draw off secretion. To remove redon drain the average traction power was 226 pond and to remove slit drain the average traction power was only 25 pond. The difference was significant (p less than 0.01). At the time of removal patients with slit drain rarely complained about pain (p less than 0.01). On contrary, patients with Redon drain always complained about pain. Clotting were seldom shown in slit drains and were frequently shown in redon drains. Both slit drains and redon drains were effective to drain secretion. As the new slit drain was more comfortable for patients following hernia repair slit drain should always be used as subcutaneous suction drainage.