Evaluating the Effect of Surgical Drain Securement on Patient Quality of Life and Postoperative Drain-related Complications

Patients will be identified as potential subjects where the study team will speak with them, determine eligibility, and obtain consent prior to surgery. On the day of surgery, patients will be randomized to either A) drains being secured with the K-Lock device or B) drains being secured with the suture-based technique. All drains will be secured according to randomization.

Postoperatively: The study team will follow the subjects weekly via the electronic medical record documenting (in REDCap) calls made to the triage nurse, visits to the emergency department, requests for additional pain medications, unexpected drain removal, need for additional drain placement, etc. Subjects will return to clinic at their regularly scheduled follow-up appointments with no additional study related activities and will be followed by the study team weekly, via chart review for a total of 3 months from their surgery date. When the subjects return to clinic to have their final drain removed they will be asked to complete a survey asking about their experience with their drains and drain securement. We will also have a blinded evaluator complete a short survey evaluating the skin around the drain insertion site. Photos will be taken of the drain site upon drain removal and again at the 3 month follow-up visit.

Inclusion criteria

• Age 18 years or older
• Patient of the Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
• Able to sign English language Consent form
• Undergoing a surgical procedure where placement of one or more surgical drains is anticipated

Exclusion criteria

• Unable to sign English language consent form
• Incompatible drain size placed
• Allergy or sensitivity to skin adhesives