The efficacy of surgical drainage in cervicofacial rhytidectomy: a prospective, randomized, controlled trial.

Background: Postoperative drainage is often used instinctively in face lifting on the assumption that it may reduce the likelihood of complications. This potential benefit should be balanced against cost, discomfort, and the possibility of provoking bleeding and hematoma on removal. Evidence-based decisions on drainage are problematic, since no prospective studies have examined its role.