To drain or not to drain in perforated peptic ulcer

In their study, published in the current issue of the Journal of Experimental and Integrative Medicine, Ansari et al investigated the role of prophylactic abdominal drain usage in perforated peptic ulcer (PPU), a frequently performed surgical procedure in the emergency departments. Surgical treatment of PPU has not changed much, i.e. primary closure of the perforation and careful cleansing of the abdominal cavity, since it was described by Johann von Mikulicz-Radecki (1850-1905). There have been different applications related to drain usage and drain numbers in different centers. While a single drain... [J Exp Integr Med 2012; 2(1.000): 45-46]