How Long to Keep the Surgical Drains- Looking for Evidence

Head and neck operations are associated with clinically significant postoperative morbidities such as haematoma, seroma, wound infection and skin flap complications [1]. Closed suction drainage is the standard of care for Head and Neck surgical wounds. The purpose of drains is to obliterate dead space and to reduce seroma and hematoma formation, thus improving skin apposition and wound healing, particularly when extensive undermining has been done. Additionally, it helps to characterize fluid for early identification of anastomotic leakage [2,3].