Multiple factors can lead to impaired wound healing. In general terms, the factors that influence repair can be categorized into local and systemic. Local factors are those that directly influence the characteristics of the wound itself, while systemic factors are the overall health or disease state of the individual that affect his or her ability to heal. Many of these factors are related, and the systemic factors act through the local effects affecting wound healing. Placing pelvic drains following surgeries routinely for early-stage gynecologic malignancies needs to be revisited as it confers no advantage, and by avoiding drains, patients can be discharged to go home earlier.