Basically, after a surgery, there is a chance that fluid might collect in the operative area inside the body. This would create a higher chance for infections and other problems. It is for this reason that surgeons put surgical drains to ensure that the fluid flows out. In order to prevent infections, surgical drain management is essential.
A surgical drain is simply a thin rubber tube inserted in the area of the wound to remove fluids such as blood and pus from the wound. Nevertheless, when inserted they do not cause the wound to heal faster or prevent infections. Instead, they remove the fluid that otherwise promote infections or result in retained blood complications. The doctor gives specific information on when the drain would be removed, but they are generally removed when there is significantly small or no fluid collected.
There are various kinds of surgical drains operating in different ways. These include active and passive drains. Passive surgical drains are dependent on gravity to release fluids from the wound and active surgical drains are attached on some vacuum device or some wall suction. A surgeon usually will select the appropriate type fitting the operated site and able to handle the expected drainage.
Drains have a potential problem of providing a pathway to bacteria that access the wound and result in infections. Normally, the risks of infections are higher between the third and fourth days. At this time, there are also higher risks of mechanical damage on the surrounding tissues. In order to minimize these risks, surgeons insert drains reaching the skin through the shortest and safest route. This ensures that no much pressure is exerted on adjacent tissues by the drains.
The systematic approach of care and managing of drains significantly reduces cases of complications and the level of drainage. Following the insertion of the drains, thick dark red blood emanating from blood left over from the operation accompanies the drainage. The fluid drops with the healing of the wound as the drainage becomes thinner and changes color to pink because less blood is produced. When blood completely disappears, the drainage transforms to pale yellow and thin and ultimately trickles slowly.
Drain management is determined by the type, location, and purpose of the drains. Generally, the major reason for surgical drain insertions is the removal of air and fluid from the area of surgery. Therefore, it is essential to take heed to the instructions that a surgeon gives.
To prevent clogs, squeezing the tube may help so that it drains properly. The doctor may give guidelines on when squeezing would be appropriate, for instance, when you notice a clog is preventing fluid drainage. Also, if you notice that there is fluid leakage around the tube going to the skin, squeezing would be a good care management.
Removing the surgical drains is generally done once the drainage has ceased or becomes less than 25 ml/day. However, the duration can be shortened by withdrawing the drains gradually at least 2 cm per day in order to allow the area to heal gradually.
A surgical drain is simply a thin rubber tube inserted in the area of the wound to remove fluids such as blood and pus from the wound. Nevertheless, when inserted they do not cause the wound to heal faster or prevent infections. Instead, they remove the fluid that otherwise promote infections or result in retained blood complications. The doctor gives specific information on when the drain would be removed, but they are generally removed when there is significantly small or no fluid collected.
There are various kinds of surgical drains operating in different ways. These include active and passive drains. Passive surgical drains are dependent on gravity to release fluids from the wound and active surgical drains are attached on some vacuum device or some wall suction. A surgeon usually will select the appropriate type fitting the operated site and able to handle the expected drainage.
Drains have a potential problem of providing a pathway to bacteria that access the wound and result in infections. Normally, the risks of infections are higher between the third and fourth days. At this time, there are also higher risks of mechanical damage on the surrounding tissues. In order to minimize these risks, surgeons insert drains reaching the skin through the shortest and safest route. This ensures that no much pressure is exerted on adjacent tissues by the drains.
The systematic approach of care and managing of drains significantly reduces cases of complications and the level of drainage. Following the insertion of the drains, thick dark red blood emanating from blood left over from the operation accompanies the drainage. The fluid drops with the healing of the wound as the drainage becomes thinner and changes color to pink because less blood is produced. When blood completely disappears, the drainage transforms to pale yellow and thin and ultimately trickles slowly.
Drain management is determined by the type, location, and purpose of the drains. Generally, the major reason for surgical drain insertions is the removal of air and fluid from the area of surgery. Therefore, it is essential to take heed to the instructions that a surgeon gives.
To prevent clogs, squeezing the tube may help so that it drains properly. The doctor may give guidelines on when squeezing would be appropriate, for instance, when you notice a clog is preventing fluid drainage. Also, if you notice that there is fluid leakage around the tube going to the skin, squeezing would be a good care management.
Removing the surgical drains is generally done once the drainage has ceased or becomes less than 25 ml/day. However, the duration can be shortened by withdrawing the drains gradually at least 2 cm per day in order to allow the area to heal gradually.
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Learn about surgical drain management and how to record your progress on an excel spreadsheet. To know more, visit this website at http://www.medicaldrain.com.
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