Many surgical operations are usually characterized with fluid formation after the operation. If this fluid is not removed, there is a risk that it could get infected resulting in unwanted effects. The type of tube to be used in a specific case is determined by the type of operation that is conducted. There is need to have proper surgical drain management if the tubes are to serve their purpose.
Generally, tubes help with decompression of body cavities by preventing accumulation of fluid. Such fluid may be serous fluid, blood or pus. Apart from getting rid of fluids, the drains may also help in the removal of unwanted air (or dead space). This may be necessary such as in the case of tension pneumothorax in which excessive air in the chest cavity causes excesses pressure on the lungs.
The decision to have a drain is determined by the nature of the operation as well as surgeon preference. One of the surgical operations for which drain tubes are usually needed is breast surgery. There is a huge risk of fluid accumulation in the breast tissue after surgery and having a drain significantly reduces this risk. Orthopedic procedures particularly those in which joint cavities have to be opened also require tubes.
One of the classifications of drain tubes considers the tubes as being either open or closed. Open tubes include corrugated rubber and plastic sheets and typically direct the fluid onto a pad made of gauze or a stoma bag. This type is more prone to infections. The closed type is that which drains into a bottle or bag. This is the type preferred for orthopedic and chest operations.
The tubes may also be classified into active and passive types. The active types are those that rely on a suctioning force to work. The passive tubes, in contrast, work under the influence of gravity hence do not need to be connected to a suctioning tube. All that one needs to do is to have the patient placed at a higher level than the collection container. The third classification takes into consideration the material used. Thus we have silicon and rubber tubes.
After leaving the operating room, the patient is admitted to the surgical wards. Most of the care of the drain occurs in these wards. The tube should be examined at regular intervals. Some of the things that you need to look out for include signs of infections, the color of fluid being drained, knots and kinks in the tube and so on. The passage of pus in an indicator of infections.
If there is a lot of fluid trapped in the cavity, a suctioning force can be applied at one end to expedite the process of removal. The pressure has to be prescribed to avoid causing undue injury to structures found within these cavities. It is also important to make sure that the tube is well secured to avoid dislodgement.
Removal of drains is done when they stop draining or when the amount of fluid released in 24 hours is less than 25 ml. Other centers may use a slightly higher value of 50 ml. The removal may be done in one instance or gradually by pulling it from the site steadily over a few days. Proponents of the latter option believe that it helps the insertion site to heal gradually.
Generally, tubes help with decompression of body cavities by preventing accumulation of fluid. Such fluid may be serous fluid, blood or pus. Apart from getting rid of fluids, the drains may also help in the removal of unwanted air (or dead space). This may be necessary such as in the case of tension pneumothorax in which excessive air in the chest cavity causes excesses pressure on the lungs.
The decision to have a drain is determined by the nature of the operation as well as surgeon preference. One of the surgical operations for which drain tubes are usually needed is breast surgery. There is a huge risk of fluid accumulation in the breast tissue after surgery and having a drain significantly reduces this risk. Orthopedic procedures particularly those in which joint cavities have to be opened also require tubes.
One of the classifications of drain tubes considers the tubes as being either open or closed. Open tubes include corrugated rubber and plastic sheets and typically direct the fluid onto a pad made of gauze or a stoma bag. This type is more prone to infections. The closed type is that which drains into a bottle or bag. This is the type preferred for orthopedic and chest operations.
The tubes may also be classified into active and passive types. The active types are those that rely on a suctioning force to work. The passive tubes, in contrast, work under the influence of gravity hence do not need to be connected to a suctioning tube. All that one needs to do is to have the patient placed at a higher level than the collection container. The third classification takes into consideration the material used. Thus we have silicon and rubber tubes.
After leaving the operating room, the patient is admitted to the surgical wards. Most of the care of the drain occurs in these wards. The tube should be examined at regular intervals. Some of the things that you need to look out for include signs of infections, the color of fluid being drained, knots and kinks in the tube and so on. The passage of pus in an indicator of infections.
If there is a lot of fluid trapped in the cavity, a suctioning force can be applied at one end to expedite the process of removal. The pressure has to be prescribed to avoid causing undue injury to structures found within these cavities. It is also important to make sure that the tube is well secured to avoid dislodgement.
Removal of drains is done when they stop draining or when the amount of fluid released in 24 hours is less than 25 ml. Other centers may use a slightly higher value of 50 ml. The removal may be done in one instance or gradually by pulling it from the site steadily over a few days. Proponents of the latter option believe that it helps the insertion site to heal gradually.
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