Caring for a drain requires some common sense methods.
Most drains are removed at the doctor’s office.
The bulb can be secured near the bandage or attached to your clothes with a safety pin.
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You may have one drain or several, depending on the nature of the problem.
Discomfort or Pain
By and large, drains are not painful to have in place.
But they can cause discomfort, depending on how big they are and where they are placed.
Typically, the discomfort is mild.
Some drains come loose when too much weight is placed on them.
You may need to empty the drain twice a dayand more often if it gets full.
It’s also important to record the drainage as directed by your doctor.
Changing the Dressing
Your doctor should tell you how often he expects you to change the dressing.
He may even want you to document the times you do this and note the color of the fluid.
Good drain care is similar togood incision care.
How the drain goes out largely depends on how it went in.
It may leave the body through the surgical incision.
Or a new, small incision may be made specifically for the drain itself.
The drain may have sutures holding it in place to prevent it from being accidentally dislodged.
In this case, the sutures are cut and the drain is gently pulled out.
The incision is then covered with a dressing or left open to the air.
Stitches usually are not needed.
But it’s a good idea to avoid swimming or soaking in a tub for several days.
Recap
Expect that your surgical drain will be removed at your doctor’s office.
It’s one less task you will be responsible for.
Summary
Even mildly squeamish people have been known to balk over having a surgical drain in place.
But sometimes seeing a drain in action can change their mind.
After surgery, fluids continue to pool near the surgical area.
Instead of letting the fluids stay thereand risk infectiona surgical drain ushers the fluids out.
They typically go from red (representing blood) to clear.
Frequently Asked Questions
This common drain removes excess fluid that builds up at a surgical site.
The fluid drained from a wound after surgery is called exudateliquid that drains from an open wound.
It consists of fluid and leukocytes, which are cells that make up the immune system.
Leukocytes promote healing.Expect the fluid in the drain to change colors as the wound heals.
It may go from red (and bloody), to pink and then to light yellow and clear.
Yes, as long as your surgeon or primary caregiver gives you permission.
Too much strain on the drain can cause it to become dislodged.
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