Temporary Application of Abdominal Jackson-Pratt Drain to Reduce Pain After Laparoscopic Surgery in Gynecology

Recent evidence has shown that the onset and intensity of post-operative pain are significantly related to the amount of residual pneumoperitoneum at the end of the surgical procedure. In addition, the use of low pressures of carbon dioxide (CO2) for induction of the pnemoperitoneum has been associated with a reduction in post-operative pain, probably due to a lower abdominal distension and a consequent reduced compression of the pelvic, abdominal and sub-diaphragmatic pain nerve fibers. The reduction of the residual pnemoperitoneum at the end of the surgical procedure could therefore play a key role in the reduction of post-operative pain, with consequent greater comfort for the patient and reduction of the use of analgesics. In view of the available evidence, the aim of the present study is to evaluate whether the application of Jackson-Pratt drain, for one hour from the end of the surgical procedure, can significantly reduce post-operative pain and the need of analgesics in patients undergoing laparoscopic gynecological surgery.