A prospective randomised double-blind placebo controlled trial to assess whether gas drains reduce shoulder pain following gynaecological laparoscopy

Abstract

Objective. To assess the effects on patient discomfort of an intraabdominal passive gas drain left for four hours postoperatively following gynaecologic laparoscopic surgery. Design. A prospective randomised double-blinded placebo controlled trial. Setting. University tertiary hospital and private hospital. Population or sample. Eighty women having a laparoscopic gynaecological procedure for benign disease. Methods. A drain was placed via the umbilical port at the conclusion of the surgical procedure and was removed four hours postoperatively. The researcher, assessor and patient were all blinded as to the patency or occlusion of the drain. Patients were asked to complete questionnaires at r..