Abstract
Introduction
Surgical drains are used by many specialities, we aim to determine the most robust method of securing them by comparing suturing technique, material and fixation angle.
Method
A Blake’s drain was inserted into a piece of pork belly and secured using a standard ‘three half hitch’ technique with 3.0 Silk, EthilonTM and ProleneTM . For each suture type, drains were sutured in line, at 45 and 90 degrees to the course of the drain. The force needed for the suture to failure was measured and each repeated 3 times. Different suture techniques were then used to determine the strongest fixation.
Results
With the drain exiting inline the moment of failure was, on average, 1.25kg for silk, 3.5kg for EthilonTM and 4.0kg for ProleneTM. Increasing drain fixation angle required more force for the suture to fail. With EthilonTM and ProleneTM, the suture snapped before the drain slipped. Three half hitches was the strongest technique.
Conclusions
Suture material, technique and drain fixation angle had an impact on suture strength with ProleneTM outperforming Silk. We advocate using a ‘three half hitch’ technique with 3.0 ProleneTM to secure a surgical drain. It offers superior strength whilst reducing the risk of localised tissue reactions.
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