Drain tubes are usually needed after operations that involve the opening up of body cavities. The role of these tubes is to facilitate the removal of fluids from the sites for a few days. Depending on the type of operation, such fluids may include pus, serous secretions, blood or even mucous. There are a number of things that you need to know so as to effectively manage a drain tube after surgery.
There are two different types of mechanisms that are involved in the removal of unwanted fluids. The first is the passive mechanism and involves the flow of fluids under the influence of gravity. All that is required for this method to work is to have the patient put on a higher level than the jar into which the fluid is flowing. The active mechanism requires a suctioning force.
The tube is usually left in position as the patient comes from the operating room to the post-operative ward. The most important thing from this point onward is to conduct regular inspections to ensure that the drain is functioning properly. Signs of malfunction include, among others, leakage of the fluids, redness and oozing.
The inspections should ideally be done at four hour intervals. The routine is the same every time: ensure that the tube is not kinked or knotted, check for signs of leakage and oozing and to check that there is no blockage. Infections are a common complication and they may be localized or generalized. Elevated fevers, increased tenderness and redness around the insertion site are highly suggestive of infection.
Leakage is likely to be seen if the tube if the incision around the tube is not properly closed to form an air-tight seal. The same may occur if a patient is moved from one place to another. The stop-gap measure in such a situation is to reinforce the incision site with dressing and adhesive tape. If the leakage is too much, secondary closure using sutures may have to be done.
It is important that all the findings after each inspection are properly documented. This is especially important for the monitoring of the amount of fluid that is being drained; there is a need to know whether it is increasing or reducing. In the event that any abnormalities are noticed the head of the treatment team is informed so that the problem can be rectified.
Removal of the drain is done when it stops draining or if the amount that is released per day drops to less than 25 milliliters per day. A bit of pain may be experienced during the removal so it would be a good idea to take some pain killers beforehand. For those that have had the drain for a long time, granulation tissue may make it quite difficult to remove the tube.
Once the tube has been removed, you will be treated like any other postoperative patient. Unless a serious complication has been encountered, you will be allowed home on the day of tube removal. Antibiotics will be prescribed to be used for a few days so as to keep potential infections at bay. If you notice increased oozing from the site or if you develop a fever, get in touch with your doctor.
There are two different types of mechanisms that are involved in the removal of unwanted fluids. The first is the passive mechanism and involves the flow of fluids under the influence of gravity. All that is required for this method to work is to have the patient put on a higher level than the jar into which the fluid is flowing. The active mechanism requires a suctioning force.
The tube is usually left in position as the patient comes from the operating room to the post-operative ward. The most important thing from this point onward is to conduct regular inspections to ensure that the drain is functioning properly. Signs of malfunction include, among others, leakage of the fluids, redness and oozing.
The inspections should ideally be done at four hour intervals. The routine is the same every time: ensure that the tube is not kinked or knotted, check for signs of leakage and oozing and to check that there is no blockage. Infections are a common complication and they may be localized or generalized. Elevated fevers, increased tenderness and redness around the insertion site are highly suggestive of infection.
Leakage is likely to be seen if the tube if the incision around the tube is not properly closed to form an air-tight seal. The same may occur if a patient is moved from one place to another. The stop-gap measure in such a situation is to reinforce the incision site with dressing and adhesive tape. If the leakage is too much, secondary closure using sutures may have to be done.
It is important that all the findings after each inspection are properly documented. This is especially important for the monitoring of the amount of fluid that is being drained; there is a need to know whether it is increasing or reducing. In the event that any abnormalities are noticed the head of the treatment team is informed so that the problem can be rectified.
Removal of the drain is done when it stops draining or if the amount that is released per day drops to less than 25 milliliters per day. A bit of pain may be experienced during the removal so it would be a good idea to take some pain killers beforehand. For those that have had the drain for a long time, granulation tissue may make it quite difficult to remove the tube.
Once the tube has been removed, you will be treated like any other postoperative patient. Unless a serious complication has been encountered, you will be allowed home on the day of tube removal. Antibiotics will be prescribed to be used for a few days so as to keep potential infections at bay. If you notice increased oozing from the site or if you develop a fever, get in touch with your doctor.
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