Drain (surgery)

A device used to remove fluid from a wound or body cavity

Drain (surgery)

A surgical drain is a tube used to remove pus, blood, or other fluids from a wound. They are commonly used in various surgical procedures to prevent the accumulation of fluids, which can lead to infection or other complications. Drains are typically placed during surgery and can be left in place for several days, depending on the type of surgery and the amount of fluid being drained.

Types of Surgical Drains

Surgical drains can be classified into several types based on their mechanism of action and the type of fluid they are designed to remove.

Passive Drains

Passive drains rely on gravity and capillary action to remove fluid from a wound. They do not have any suction and are often used when the fluid is expected to drain naturally. Examples include:

• Penrose drain: A soft, flexible tube made of latex that allows fluid to exit the wound by capillary action.
• Cigarette drain: A Penrose drain with a gauze strip inside to increase the surface area for drainage.

Active Drains

Active drains use suction to remove fluid from a wound. They are connected to a vacuum device that creates negative pressure, actively drawing fluid out. Examples include:

• Jackson-Pratt (JP) drain: A closed-suction drain with a bulb that can be compressed to create suction.
• Hemovac drain: A larger, round drain that uses a spring-loaded mechanism to create suction.

Indications for Use

Surgical drains are used in a variety of situations, including:

• To prevent the accumulation of fluids such as blood, pus, or serous fluid after surgery.
• To reduce the risk of infection by removing potential breeding grounds for bacteria.
• To monitor the amount and type of fluid being drained, which can provide information about the healing process.
• To prevent the formation of a hematoma or seroma.

Placement and Management

The placement of a surgical drain is typically done during the surgical procedure. The surgeon will decide the most appropriate location for the drain based on the type of surgery and the expected fluid accumulation.

Care and Maintenance

Proper care and maintenance of surgical drains are crucial to prevent infection and ensure effective drainage. This includes:

• Regularly emptying and measuring the fluid output.
• Keeping the drain site clean and dry.
• Monitoring for signs of infection, such as redness, swelling, or increased pain.
• Ensuring the drain is not kinked or blocked.

Removal of Drains

The decision to remove a surgical drain is based on the amount and type of fluid being drained, as well as the patient's overall condition. Drains are typically removed when the fluid output decreases to an acceptable level, indicating that the body is healing properly.

Complications

While surgical drains are generally safe, they can be associated with certain complications, including:

• Infection at the drain site.
• Accidental dislodgement of the drain.
• Blockage of the drain, preventing proper fluid removal.
• Skin irritation or breakdown around the drain site.

Related Pages

• Surgery
• Wound healing
• Infection
• Hematoma
• Seroma