To evaluate the efficacy of negative pressure drainage for reducing seroma after transabdominal preperitoneal(TAPP).

From Feb.2016 to Feb.2017, 68 consecutive adult patients with unilateral indirect inguinal hernia in Putuo Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of TCM were randomly divided into two groups and underwent TAPP.38 cases in the drainage group had a cross-type negative pressure drainage tube placed between the mesh and peritoneum before suturing peritoneum, while 30 cases in the control group without any drainage tube. The operative time, hospital stays and the incidence rate of seroma between the two groups were compared.

All 68 patients had smooth recovery. Compared with the control group, the drainage group had a longer average operative time (52.50±12.6 min vs. 48.83±15.23 min; P>0.05), but this result was not statistically significant, and also had a longer hospital stays after operation (3.29±0.98 day vs. 1.93±0.69 day; P<0.05), the result was statistically significant. Incidence of seroma in drainage group was obviously lower than that in the control group (1/38, 2.6% vs. 8/30, 26.7%; P<0.05), the result was significantly different.

Negative pressure drainage is helpful to observe fluid collection and bleeding after surgery, and to reduce the incidence of seroma. In addition, the negative pressure drainage tube can reduce dead space and prevent the migration of the mesh. The cross-type negative pressure drainage tube has no side holes with better drainage effect and is not easy to be blocked. The removal of drainage tube is convenient, and not easy to cause mesh migration.