Whenever a body cavity such as the abdomen or chest is operated on, a drain connecting it to the outside is usually left in position. The need for such a drain is particularly high if fluids have been found within the cavity or if they are likely to accumulate after the operation. Such fluids include blood, serous secretions and mucous. While there are numerous benefits of having a drain tube after surgery, some complications may set in if the drain is not properly taken care of.
There are two different types of mechanisms that are involved in the removal of unwanted fluids. The first is the passive mechanism and involves the flow of fluids under the influence of gravity. All that is required for this method to work is to have the patient put on a higher level than the jar into which the fluid is flowing. The active mechanism requires a suctioning force.
Since the tube remains in position for a couple of days, most of the care takes place in the post-surgical wards. The staff in the ward should inspect the tube and the associated equipment at regular intervals to ensure that it is functioning normally. Some of the things to look out for as soon as the patient is admitted to the ward include inspecting for leakages, signs of infection, blockage and the presence of inflammation.
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.
The tube is usually removed once it stops draining or when the amount that is drained per day reduces to less than 25 milliliters. The removal process may be painful so it is advisable that patients receive some painkillers before it is done. Persons that have had the drain for a prolonged period of time are likely to experience more pain due to the formation of granulation tissue around it. The defect that is left is closed with a few stitches.
Once the tube has been removed, you will be treated like any other postoperative patient. Unless a serious complication has been encountered, you will be allowed home on the day of tube removal. Antibiotics will be prescribed to be used for a few days so as to keep potential infections at bay. If you notice increased oozing from the site or if you develop a fever, get in touch with your doctor.
There are two different types of mechanisms that are involved in the removal of unwanted fluids. The first is the passive mechanism and involves the flow of fluids under the influence of gravity. All that is required for this method to work is to have the patient put on a higher level than the jar into which the fluid is flowing. The active mechanism requires a suctioning force.
Since the tube remains in position for a couple of days, most of the care takes place in the post-surgical wards. The staff in the ward should inspect the tube and the associated equipment at regular intervals to ensure that it is functioning normally. Some of the things to look out for as soon as the patient is admitted to the ward include inspecting for leakages, signs of infection, blockage and the presence of inflammation.
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.
The tube is usually removed once it stops draining or when the amount that is drained per day reduces to less than 25 milliliters. The removal process may be painful so it is advisable that patients receive some painkillers before it is done. Persons that have had the drain for a prolonged period of time are likely to experience more pain due to the formation of granulation tissue around it. The defect that is left is closed with a few stitches.
Once the tube has been removed, you will be treated like any other postoperative patient. Unless a serious complication has been encountered, you will be allowed home on the day of tube removal. Antibiotics will be prescribed to be used for a few days so as to keep potential infections at bay. If you notice increased oozing from the site or if you develop a fever, get in touch with your doctor.
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