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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 various types of fluids that tend to accumulate in surgical wounds. They include serum, lymphatic fluid and blood. An increase in these fluids during the immediate postoperative period causes a buildup in pressure around the surgical site which in turn compromises the blood supply and innervation. With inadequate blood supply to the tissues, wound healing is delayed.
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.
There is no fixed duration for which the drain remains in place. Usually, it is removed when the output within 24 hours drops below 50 ml. Removing the tube is a bit painful so you may need some analgesic drugs. If the tube is to be removed from the chest wall, you will be instructed to take a deep breath and to hold your breath. This maneuver helps to prevent air entry into the chest cavity.
Apart from the quantity, the other aspects of the fluid that have to be monitored are the consistency and the color. In the first few days, the fluid is usually bloody and thick. With time, it becomes thinner and pink in color before finally turning to pale yellow. If the red color is sustained for too long or if pus is detected immediate intervention should be undertaken as these are indicators of serious complications such as hemorrhage and infections.
Granulation tissue may form around the tube especially if it has been in place for long period of time. This tissue makes drain removal quite difficult. If this is the case, then surgical removal is indicated. Other complications include tube blockage by tissues, kinking and displacement. Your surgeon will typically inspect the tube on a daily basis to ensure that it remains functional.
After the removal of the drain, the incision site used for insertion is closed using sutures and then dressed. You can at this point leave the hospital as you continue with antibiotics and analgesic drugs. You need to look out for signs of bleeding or pus drainage from the site.
There various types of fluids that tend to accumulate in surgical wounds. They include serum, lymphatic fluid and blood. An increase in these fluids during the immediate postoperative period causes a buildup in pressure around the surgical site which in turn compromises the blood supply and innervation. With inadequate blood supply to the tissues, wound healing is delayed.
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.
There is no fixed duration for which the drain remains in place. Usually, it is removed when the output within 24 hours drops below 50 ml. Removing the tube is a bit painful so you may need some analgesic drugs. If the tube is to be removed from the chest wall, you will be instructed to take a deep breath and to hold your breath. This maneuver helps to prevent air entry into the chest cavity.
Apart from the quantity, the other aspects of the fluid that have to be monitored are the consistency and the color. In the first few days, the fluid is usually bloody and thick. With time, it becomes thinner and pink in color before finally turning to pale yellow. If the red color is sustained for too long or if pus is detected immediate intervention should be undertaken as these are indicators of serious complications such as hemorrhage and infections.
Granulation tissue may form around the tube especially if it has been in place for long period of time. This tissue makes drain removal quite difficult. If this is the case, then surgical removal is indicated. Other complications include tube blockage by tissues, kinking and displacement. Your surgeon will typically inspect the tube on a daily basis to ensure that it remains functional.
After the removal of the drain, the incision site used for insertion is closed using sutures and then dressed. You can at this point leave the hospital as you continue with antibiotics and analgesic drugs. You need to look out for signs of bleeding or pus drainage from the site.
About the Author:
Learn how to care for your drain tube after surgery by following the instructions online. To read the informative tips, visit this medical website now at http://medicaldrain.com.
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