Temporary Drainage Clamping After Total Hip Arthroplasty: A Meta- Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Abstract

Abstract Background This meta-analysis was performed to assess the outcomes of clamping the drainage tube in patients after THA. Methods We systematically searched the following databases: Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and Ovid. Included patients were prepared for THA and separated into two groups: the intervention group (the drainage tube was clamped) and the control group (the drainage tube was not clamped). Studies that compared drainage volume, total blood loss, allogeneic blood transfusion, and adverse events were included in this meta-analysis. Meta-analysis was performed by RevMan 5.3 software. Results Four randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving 223 patients (the intervention group = 110; the control group = 113) were finally included in this meta-analysis. Meta-analysis indicated that clamping the drainage tube after THA significantly decreased the drainage volume and total blood loss compare to the control group (P < 0.05). However, there was no statistically significant difference in the percentage of patients receiving allogeneic blood transfusion between the two groups (P = 0.10). Clamping the drainage tube did not increase the rate of adverse complications compare to the control group. Conclusions Clamping the drainage tube decreases the drainage volume and total blood loss with no increase in adverse complications after THA.