Routine prophylactic drainage in rectal surgery—closing the chapter?

The discussion about drainage in abdominal surgery is long-lasting: in 1986 a historical perspective was already published, stating that in 1809 the first prophylactic drain was placed into the peritoneal cavity, by the same surgeon that performed the first successful laparotomy (1). Until now, no consensus exists on the routine use of prophylactic drains after rectal surgery. A study in 2011 showed that the routine use of drains after rectal surgery differs significantly between United Stated and non-United States surgeons, 23% vs. 42% respectively (2).