Abstract / Summary
Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of a self-developed peritubular leakage collection device (PLCD) for managing leakage around abdominal drainage tubes following abdominal surgery.
Study design: A randomised controlled trial. Place and Duration of the Study: Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Taizhou Hospital, Zhejiang University, Taizhou, China, from December 2024 to November 2025.
Methodology: This study included 112 patients presenting with leakage around abdominal drainage tubes following abdominal surgery. All subjects were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to either the intervention group managed with PLCD or the control group treated with conventional gauze dressings. The primary outcome was peritubular discomfort score, while secondary outcomes included drainage tube indwelling duration, total and average daily dressing change frequency, total and average daily peritubular care costs, and the incidence of peritubular moisture-associated skin damage (MASD). Statistical analyses were carried out using SPSS version 22.0, and between- group differences were analysed using the t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, chi-square test, or Fisher's exact test.
Results: The intervention group had significantly lower peritubular discomfort scores (p <0.001). There was no significant between- group difference in abdominal drainage tube indwelling duration. Both the total and average daily dressing change frequencies, as well as the total and average daily peritubular care costs, were markedly lower in the intervention group (all p <0.001). No peritubular MASD occurred in the intervention group, while four cases were noted in the control group (p = 0.118).
Conclusion: PLCD can markedly alleviate peritubular discomfort, reduce dressing change frequency and peritubular care costs, and potentially prevent peritubular MASD. As an effective intervention for managing leakage around abdominal drainage tubes following abdominal surgery, PLCD may have potential for wider clinical application.
Key words: Peritubular leakage collection device, Abdominal surgery, Abdominal drainage tube, Peritubular leakage.