How To Maintain A Drain Tube After Surgery
Surgical operations in which body cavities are opened frequently require the placement of drainage tubes postoperatively. This is commonest with general, orthopedic and cardiac surgeries. There are several benefits realized when using a drain tube after surgery. They include infection prevention, reduced pain and the promotion of wound healing. Your surgeon should mention to you whether or not such a drain will be required for your operation as he obtains your consent for the operation.
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.
The tube will be removed once the output has reduced significantly. Most surgeons are happy to remove it when the output in 24 hours is 50 ml of fluid or less. Since there is a bit of pain associated with the procedure, you will be issued with some pain relievers. If the drain is in the chest cavity, the nurse will ask you to take a deep breath as the tube is pulled out to prevent the entry of air into the cavity through the opening.
Color and consistency of the fluid are the other important characterizes to be monitored apart from the quantity. The fluid is typically thick and bloody in the initial postoperative period. With time, as the blood reduces, it turns to pink and yellow and becomes thinner. A persistent blood appearance or a foul smell should raise the alarm on underlying complications such as infections and hemorrhage.
If the drain remains in position for a prolonged period of time, there is a high probability of granulation tissue formation. The granulation tissue makes it difficult to pull out the tube and frequently requires surgical intervention. Other complications that one should look out for include tube blockage, displacement of the tube and kinking. Daily inspection should be focused on looking out for these complications.
The small opening left after the tube has been removed is closed using sutures and dressing. At this point you can be discharged from hospital. You may need to continue taking the antibiotics and analgesic agents depending on how long your stay in hospital was.
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.
The tube will be removed once the output has reduced significantly. Most surgeons are happy to remove it when the output in 24 hours is 50 ml of fluid or less. Since there is a bit of pain associated with the procedure, you will be issued with some pain relievers. If the drain is in the chest cavity, the nurse will ask you to take a deep breath as the tube is pulled out to prevent the entry of air into the cavity through the opening.
Color and consistency of the fluid are the other important characterizes to be monitored apart from the quantity. The fluid is typically thick and bloody in the initial postoperative period. With time, as the blood reduces, it turns to pink and yellow and becomes thinner. A persistent blood appearance or a foul smell should raise the alarm on underlying complications such as infections and hemorrhage.
If the drain remains in position for a prolonged period of time, there is a high probability of granulation tissue formation. The granulation tissue makes it difficult to pull out the tube and frequently requires surgical intervention. Other complications that one should look out for include tube blockage, displacement of the tube and kinking. Daily inspection should be focused on looking out for these complications.
The small opening left after the tube has been removed is closed using sutures and dressing. At this point you can be discharged from hospital. You may need to continue taking the antibiotics and analgesic agents depending on how long your stay in hospital was.
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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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