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.
The mechanisms that are involved in the removal of fluids from body cavities after operations fall under two categories: active and passive. The passive process depends on the force of gravity. To utilize this mechanism, a jar is connected to a drain and placed below the level of the patient. The active mechanism, on the other hand, requires some type of suctioning force to be used. The choice of the mechanism depends on the type of operation.
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.
Subsequent inspections should ideally be made at intervals of four hours. The same procedure conducted during the initial evaluation should be repeated. One of the most frequently encountered complications is localized or generalized infection. Such should be suspected if there is abnormal oozing (of pus), redness at the point of entry, increased tenderness within the site and a fever. A cotton swab of pus and blood culture tests are usually used for confirmation.
Leakage tends to occur if proper fixation is not done. It is important that an airtight seal is created between the incision and the tube. Another common causes of leakage includes frequent movements of patients. A temporary solution to this problem is reinforcement with dressings and adhesive tape as a more long lasting solution is awaited. In this case, the solution is to stitch the area with surgical sutures.
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.
The patient can be discharged from the hospital once the tube is removed except when other complications have been identified. Antibiotics will be needed for some time to prevent infections even as dressing is continued. If you notice an increase in oozing, experience a fever or notice the insertion area is tender, talk to your doctor.
The mechanisms that are involved in the removal of fluids from body cavities after operations fall under two categories: active and passive. The passive process depends on the force of gravity. To utilize this mechanism, a jar is connected to a drain and placed below the level of the patient. The active mechanism, on the other hand, requires some type of suctioning force to be used. The choice of the mechanism depends on the type of operation.
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.
Subsequent inspections should ideally be made at intervals of four hours. The same procedure conducted during the initial evaluation should be repeated. One of the most frequently encountered complications is localized or generalized infection. Such should be suspected if there is abnormal oozing (of pus), redness at the point of entry, increased tenderness within the site and a fever. A cotton swab of pus and blood culture tests are usually used for confirmation.
Leakage tends to occur if proper fixation is not done. It is important that an airtight seal is created between the incision and the tube. Another common causes of leakage includes frequent movements of patients. A temporary solution to this problem is reinforcement with dressings and adhesive tape as a more long lasting solution is awaited. In this case, the solution is to stitch the area with surgical sutures.
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.
The patient can be discharged from the hospital once the tube is removed except when other complications have been identified. Antibiotics will be needed for some time to prevent infections even as dressing is continued. If you notice an increase in oozing, experience a fever or notice the insertion area is tender, talk to your doctor.
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