Objective To synthesize the evidence regarding the effect and safety of drainage after the hip arthroplasty in randomized control trials. Background Although the standard of hip replacement has matured in recent years, the need for postoperative drainage is still controversial which also is a clinical problem that needs to be addressed. Design A systematic review and meta-analysis based on the Cochrane methods and Prisma guideline. Data Resources . A systematic search of the Cochrane Library, PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, Ovid, Wan Fang database, CNKI, and CBM database was carried out from January 1, 2000, to December, 2021. Review Methods . The quality of included randomized controlled trials was assessed individually by two reviewers independently using criteria recommended in the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions 5.1.0. Results Nineteen randomized control trials involving 3354 participants were included in this analysis. From the above analysis, we can know that compared with nondrainage, there was a statistically significant difference in VAS score on the postoperative first day (SD = −0.6; 95% CI: -0.79, -0.41) and second day (SD = −0.38, 95% CI: -0.58, -0.18), hematocrit reduction (MD =2.89; 95% CI: 1.3, 4.48), blood transfusion rate (OR =1.47; 95% CI: 1.12, 1.92), change of thigh circumstance (SMD = −0.48; 95% CI: -0.66, -0.31), and hospital stay (MD = 1.06; 95% CI: 0.73, 1.39) in drainage. However, there were no statistically significant differences in hemoglobin and hematocrit level, hip function, total blood loss, transfusion volume, dressing use, and complications between them. Conclusion Drainage after hip arthroplasty can reduce swelling in the thigh and relieve pain while no drainage can bring down hematocrit reduction, decrease dressing uses, and shorten the hospital stay which promotes rapid recovery. This review provides a detailed theoretical reference for the proper clinical application of drains and improves the efficient use of resources.
