Drain tubes are usually needed after operations that involve the opening up of body cavities. The role of these tubes is to facilitate the removal of fluids from the sites for a few days. Depending on the type of operation, such fluids may include pus, serous secretions, blood or even mucous. There are a number of things that you need to know so as to effectively manage a drain tube after surgery.
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.
The tube will be left in place as long as active flow is being noticed. What this means is that most of the care related to it will be done while the patient is in the post-operative ward. Therefore, it is important that all the clinical staff in this department know how to maintain all the related pieces of equipment. Part of the care should involve regular inspections to check for signs of malfunction.
During subsequent inspection ward rounds, the same routine is repeated; ensuring the tube is not blocked, kinked or knotted. Equally important is to monitor for signs of infection which is a common problem. Signs that are likely to suggest the presence of an infection include elevated body temperatures, increased oozing, redness at the insertion site and tenderness in the same area.
Leakage is likely to be seen if the tube if the incision around the tube is not properly closed to form an air-tight seal. The same may occur if a patient is moved from one place to another. The stop-gap measure in such a situation is to reinforce the incision site with dressing and adhesive tape. If the leakage is too much, secondary closure using sutures may have to be done.
There is a need to properly document all the findings during the scheduled visits. This is important as it helps in assessing the progress being made. The amount of fluid drained each day should be charted to establish whether there is an increase or a reduction. Other things to be documented include the daily body temperature, the color of fluids being drained and the color of the wound among others.
Once the drainage stops or if the amount of fluid collected in 24 hours is less than 25 milliliters, the tube can be safely removed. There is considerable pain associated with this process hence one will be well advised to have some analgesic agents with them. If the tube has remained in position for a prolonged period of time, it may stick to the tissues due to formation of granulation tissue around it.
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.
The tube will be left in place as long as active flow is being noticed. What this means is that most of the care related to it will be done while the patient is in the post-operative ward. Therefore, it is important that all the clinical staff in this department know how to maintain all the related pieces of equipment. Part of the care should involve regular inspections to check for signs of malfunction.
During subsequent inspection ward rounds, the same routine is repeated; ensuring the tube is not blocked, kinked or knotted. Equally important is to monitor for signs of infection which is a common problem. Signs that are likely to suggest the presence of an infection include elevated body temperatures, increased oozing, redness at the insertion site and tenderness in the same area.
Leakage is likely to be seen if the tube if the incision around the tube is not properly closed to form an air-tight seal. The same may occur if a patient is moved from one place to another. The stop-gap measure in such a situation is to reinforce the incision site with dressing and adhesive tape. If the leakage is too much, secondary closure using sutures may have to be done.
There is a need to properly document all the findings during the scheduled visits. This is important as it helps in assessing the progress being made. The amount of fluid drained each day should be charted to establish whether there is an increase or a reduction. Other things to be documented include the daily body temperature, the color of fluids being drained and the color of the wound among others.
Once the drainage stops or if the amount of fluid collected in 24 hours is less than 25 milliliters, the tube can be safely removed. There is considerable pain associated with this process hence one will be well advised to have some analgesic agents with them. If the tube has remained in position for a prolonged period of time, it may stick to the tissues due to formation of granulation tissue around it.
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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