To explore the value of subcutaneous drainage tube in the prevention of incisional infection after emergency laparotomy in obese patients.

140 obese patients undergoing emergency laparotomy from July 2021 to June 2023 in the Third Department of General Surgery of the People’s Hospital of Zhongshan City and Department of Surgery, the People’s Hospital of Gongbo’gyamda County, Xizang Autonomous Region were divided into the drainage tube group and the control group by whether staying a subcutaneous drainage tube or not in the surgery. The following data were observed and retrospectively analyzed of the incision recovery condition, the perioperative and follow-up clinical data.

There were no significant differences in baseline clinical data between the two groups. The drainage tube group was superior to the control group in terms of primary incisional healing rate (χ²=5.221, P=0.035), 14 days incisional healing rate (χ²=5.082, P=0.032), incisional healing time (t=2.917, P=0.040) and suture removal time (t=3.279, P<0.001). While in terms of incisional fat liquefaction/seepage (χ²=12.443, P<0.001), incisional infection rate (χ²=5.347, P=0.025) and secondary suture rate (χ²=4.674, P=0.036), it was lower than the control group, and the patients’hospitalization satisfaction was improved (t=5.221, P=0.045). The differences between the two groups were statistically significant.

The subcutaneous drainage tube can effectively prevent the incisional infection after emergency laparotomy in obese patients, which is worthy of clinical promotion and application.