Generally, instances of fluid collecting near areas in the body that have undergone surgeries can happen. This leads to higher chances of being infected or development of other problems. Owing to this reason, surgeons use surgical drains to drains away the fluid. Preventing such infections calls for surgical drain management, this is very important.
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.
Different type of drains work differently. They can either be passive or active surgical drains. Passive drains depend on gravity to remove the fluid from the area of the wound, while active drains are usually attached to a wall suction or a vacuum device. The surgeon selects the ideal type that fits the operation site as well as the drainage expected.
The downside of drains is that they may provide a pathway for bacteria to reach the wound causing infections. Usually, the risk of an infection is higher in the third and fourth day. At this point, the risk of mechanical damage to the local tissues is also higher. To minimize such risks surgeons inserts the drains to reach the skin in the safest and shortest route. This is to ensure that the drains do not exert so much pressure to the adjacent tissues.
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.
Managing of a drain will depend on the type, purpose as well as the location of the given drains. However, the general reason for having a drain is to take away air or fluid in the area operated on. Hence, it is of essence to adhere to guidelines provided by the surgeon.
In order to avoid clogs, the tubes are squeezed to permit proper drainage. A doctor provides guidelines on the suitable time to squeeze for instance, whenever you observe a clog that prevents draining of the fluid. Additionally, if you observe some fluid leakage next to a tube directed to the skin then squeezing becomes the best 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.
Different type of drains work differently. They can either be passive or active surgical drains. Passive drains depend on gravity to remove the fluid from the area of the wound, while active drains are usually attached to a wall suction or a vacuum device. The surgeon selects the ideal type that fits the operation site as well as the drainage expected.
The downside of drains is that they may provide a pathway for bacteria to reach the wound causing infections. Usually, the risk of an infection is higher in the third and fourth day. At this point, the risk of mechanical damage to the local tissues is also higher. To minimize such risks surgeons inserts the drains to reach the skin in the safest and shortest route. This is to ensure that the drains do not exert so much pressure to the adjacent tissues.
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.
Managing of a drain will depend on the type, purpose as well as the location of the given drains. However, the general reason for having a drain is to take away air or fluid in the area operated on. Hence, it is of essence to adhere to guidelines provided by the surgeon.
In order to avoid clogs, the tubes are squeezed to permit proper drainage. A doctor provides guidelines on the suitable time to squeeze for instance, whenever you observe a clog that prevents draining of the fluid. Additionally, if you observe some fluid leakage next to a tube directed to the skin then squeezing becomes the best 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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