Drain Site Abdominal Hernia: Known but Rare Complication of Abdominal Drains, a Case Report and a Review of Drain Site Complications

Abstract

Drains are being used in abdominal surgery since Hippocrates time therapeutically and prohpylactically aiming to reduce morbidity and early recovery of patients. But these drains are not without complications. The complications range from simple drain site infection to drain site hernia of bowel leading to strangulation and necrosis. We report a case of drain site hernia (DSH) in a 47 year-old women who presented with obstructed large incisional hernia through a previous laparotomy scar. During surgery for the incisional hernia an incarcerated DSH was identified at her right iliac fossa region. Both herniae were repaired successfully and patient’s recovery was uneventful. We reviewed the literature regarding the drain site hernia and other complications of abdominal drains. The article describes types of drains, their complications and predisposing factors for those complications and the steps to be taken for the prevention.