Objective To investigate the infection rate and observe the healing courses of the incision after gastrointestinal surgery which was managed by positioning extraperitoneal U-type latex drainage strip. Methods Two hundred patients after abdominal operation were divided into drainage group (n=97) and control group (n=103). Drainage group were treated with positioning extraperitoneal U-type latex drainage strip, while control group were treated with no latex drainage strip. The infection rate of incision, the mean time in hospital and mean time of incision healing were observed. Results The infection rate of drainage group was significantly lower than that of control group 〔7.22% (7/97) vs. 18.45% (19/103), P=0.024〕. The mean time in hospital and the mean time of incision healing in drainage group were significantly shorter than those in control group 〔(8.86±1.48) d vs. (14.12±2.63) d， P=0.000； (8.24±1.02) d vs. (12.32±3.47) d， P=0.000〕. Conclusion The infection rate and the healing course of incision of gastrointestinal surgery could be improved by positioning extraperitoneal U-type latex drainage strip.