Sudden death associated with the use of suction drains – a report of 2 cases following uneventful cranioplasty and literature review. Is the use of suction drains safe?

Abstract

Background and importance

The use of drains, including suction drains in neurosurgery is individual preference-based, rather than scientific evidence-based. Furthermore, the use of suction drains has been associated with significant risks to patients, including sudden death.

Clinical presentation

We present 2 cases of unfortunate sudden deaths following uneventful cranioplasty procedures, both of which were associated with the use of a suction drain. We also review the literature focusing on the benefits and risks in the use of suction drains, and discuss pathophysiological mechanisms underlying sudden death associated with their use.

Conclusion

There is no substantial evidence to support the use of suction drains in neurosurgery. Furthermore, they have been associated with significant complications, including risk to life. Our experience and literature review suggest that the risk of sudden death is disproportionately higher following cranioplasty. We do not recommend the use of suction drains in cranial neurosurgery, and we strongly recommend against their use in cranioplasty procedures.

Keywords:

• Suction drain
• brain swelling
• cranioplasty
• death

Ethical approval

The next of kin for both patients described have consented to the submission for publication. Institutional review board approval was obtained for the generation of service evaluation data described within this article.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).