To analyze the effect of drainage and non-drainage after inguinal hernia repair on the prevention of seroma formation.

PubMed, web of science, science direct, ovid and CNKI databases were searched and submitted for search until October 2016. A controlled clinical study comparing drainage and non-drainage after inguinal herniorrhaphy was performed. The authors independently performed literature screenings. Data extraction and quality assessment were performed using the Cochrane 5.0.1 systematic review manual for meta-analysis.

A total of 2 randomized controlled clinical studies and 4 retrospective clinical controlled studies were included, including 3 448 patients, of whom 2 607 were placed drainage after surgery and 841 without drainage. The overall analysis of the included studies showed that compared with the non-drainage group, the drainage group had a higher overall incidence in the reduction of postoperative seroma than the non-drainage group (P=0.007), relative risk was 0.29 (95% CI: 0.12-0.72); the overall increased operative time in drainage group was higher than that in non-drainage group (P=0.006), the STD Mean Difference was 0.36 (95% CI: 0.22-0.51). There was no significant difference in the length of hospital stay between the two groups.

Drainage after inguinal hernia surgery can reduce the formation of seroma, so it is safe and feasible.