Intermittent clamping of suction drains in total hip replacement reduces postoperative blood loss - A randomized, controlled trial

A randomized, controlled study of 54 patients (28 patients in the trial and 26 in the control group) who had primary total hip replacement was carried out. The 2 suction drains were clamped intermittently 55 minutes in each hour and released for 5 minutes in each hour for 6 hours postoperatively in the trial group. Free drainage was allowed in the control group. The difference in calculated total blood loss was significantly less in the trial group than in the control group (P <.05). Patients in the trial group received 13 fewer blood transfusions than the control group. No difference in wound drainage and wound healing was noted. Using ultrasound, it was also shown that the technique did not lead to hematoma formation.