Patients who undergo surgical operations associated with the invasion of body cavities often require drainage tubes postoperatively. This is fairly common following cardiac, general or orthopedic operations. Inserting a drain tube after surgery has a number of benefits that include, among others, promotion of wound healing, prevention of infections and reduction of pain around the surgical site. Your surgeon will always let you know beforehand whether or not such a drain will be required in your case.
There are different types of fluids that accumulate within a wound after an operation. These include blood, lymphatic fluid and serum. As these fluids continue to increase in quantity during the immediate post-operative period, they lead to pressure buildup which compromises the innervation and the blood supply to the healing tissues. Reduced blood supply means that the wound will take much longer to heal hence the need to drain it.
The fluid is rich in proteins and provides perfect breeding conditions for bacterial organisms. If not drained, the risk for infection is quite high and this causes a delay in healing of the wound. The other common complication is persistent pain. The pain is a result of pressure that is exerted on surrounding tissues as the fluid increases in quantity. Draining it greatly helps reduce this pain.
The methods used to remove accumulated fluid are either passive or active. The passive methods rely on gravity and do not require any devices. Active methods, on the other hand, require the creation of a vacuum or a suction machine. The type that is used is dependent on the exact type of surgery performed as well as the amount of fluid to be drained. Drainage has to be closely monitored which means that you will have to be admitted to the ward for a few days.
Removal of the drain will depend on whether as much of the fluid as possible has been removed. This takes about 24 hours to a few days. Many surgeons will remove the tube when the daily output is 50 ml or less. The procedure of removing the tubes is a bit painful and analgesic drugs are often required to relieve the pain. When a chest tube is being removed, your nurse will instruct you to take a deep breath so as to prevent entry of air through the opening.
Apart from monitoring the quantity, it is also important to take note of the consistency and the color of the fluid. The fluid is initially bloody and thick but gradually turns to pink and becomes thinner in a few days. Once all the blood has been drained, the result is thin, pale yellow fluid. Any sudden change in these characteristics should be taken as a sign of a serious complication that requires urgent intervention. The cause of such a change may be hemorrhage or infection.
When the drains are retained for a long time, there is a risk for granulation tissue formation. This tissue makes it quite difficult to pull out the drain. When this happens, the tube has to be removed surgically. Other complications that may be encountered include, kinking of the tubes, blockage and displacement. The doctor will usually look out for these complications during their daily rounds.
When being discharged from hospital, the wound will be closed and dressed. You have to continue with antibiotics for a few more days as instructed by your doctor. Look out for any signs of bleeding or discharge from the wound. Seek immediate medical attention if you notice any such signs.
There are different types of fluids that accumulate within a wound after an operation. These include blood, lymphatic fluid and serum. As these fluids continue to increase in quantity during the immediate post-operative period, they lead to pressure buildup which compromises the innervation and the blood supply to the healing tissues. Reduced blood supply means that the wound will take much longer to heal hence the need to drain it.
The fluid is rich in proteins and provides perfect breeding conditions for bacterial organisms. If not drained, the risk for infection is quite high and this causes a delay in healing of the wound. The other common complication is persistent pain. The pain is a result of pressure that is exerted on surrounding tissues as the fluid increases in quantity. Draining it greatly helps reduce this pain.
The methods used to remove accumulated fluid are either passive or active. The passive methods rely on gravity and do not require any devices. Active methods, on the other hand, require the creation of a vacuum or a suction machine. The type that is used is dependent on the exact type of surgery performed as well as the amount of fluid to be drained. Drainage has to be closely monitored which means that you will have to be admitted to the ward for a few days.
Removal of the drain will depend on whether as much of the fluid as possible has been removed. This takes about 24 hours to a few days. Many surgeons will remove the tube when the daily output is 50 ml or less. The procedure of removing the tubes is a bit painful and analgesic drugs are often required to relieve the pain. When a chest tube is being removed, your nurse will instruct you to take a deep breath so as to prevent entry of air through the opening.
Apart from monitoring the quantity, it is also important to take note of the consistency and the color of the fluid. The fluid is initially bloody and thick but gradually turns to pink and becomes thinner in a few days. Once all the blood has been drained, the result is thin, pale yellow fluid. Any sudden change in these characteristics should be taken as a sign of a serious complication that requires urgent intervention. The cause of such a change may be hemorrhage or infection.
When the drains are retained for a long time, there is a risk for granulation tissue formation. This tissue makes it quite difficult to pull out the drain. When this happens, the tube has to be removed surgically. Other complications that may be encountered include, kinking of the tubes, blockage and displacement. The doctor will usually look out for these complications during their daily rounds.
When being discharged from hospital, the wound will be closed and dressed. You have to continue with antibiotics for a few more days as instructed by your doctor. Look out for any signs of bleeding or discharge from the wound. Seek immediate medical attention if you notice any such signs.
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