The bumper stitch for drainage tube securement: preliminary study

Tube dislodgment is a common problem in drainage procedures. The present report compares a securement technique known as the bumper stitch, which aims to reduce tube motion and suture erosion, versus the traditional air knot. A total of 61 patients were enrolled, and 12 bumper stitches and 54 air knots were observed. Eighty-three percent of bumper tubes had no play (ie, in-and-out motion), versus 41% of the air knot tubes (P = .02); the mean amount of play with the bumper was 0.4 mm, versus 4.7 mm for the air knot (P = .007). The bumper stitch significantly reduces tube play and may therefore aid in reducing dislodgment.