Wound drainage versus non-drainage for proximal femoral fractures: A prospective randomised study

200 patients with proximal femoral fractures were randomized to receive suction drainage at the end of surgery or no drainage. At discharge, there was no significant difference between the two groups in the severity of wound haematoma and in the number of wound infections. The two groups also did not differ with respect to the average blood loss, volume of drainage, haemoglobin concentration, and the amount of blood transfusion during the operation. The use of drainage in surgery for femoral hip fractures, therefore, does not appear to be effective in reducing wound infections and in improving perioperative outcomes.