[Is it necessary to routinely use nasogastric intubation and subhepatic (Penrose) drainage after an uncomplicated cholecystectomy?].

140 surgical patients were studied at the Navy Medical Center in Mexico City. All of them had a cholecystectomy performed. In addition, 29 patients were treated for hiatal hernia with troncular vagotomy, pyloroplasty and hiatal repair. 7 of them had a prophylactic appendectomy. Group A was treated with gastric intubation and subhepatic drainage. Group B received neither. Postoperative morbidity and hospitalization time less in Group B. It is suggested by the authors not to be use nasogastric intubation nor subhepatic drainage after elective cholecystectomy, although there are special circumstances where one or both procedures are indicated.