Surgical drains are tubes that are usually placed in the body after a surgical operation. The type that will be used in a given situation will be determined by the type of surgery that is being conducted. The kind of management that occurs in the immediate postoperative period is a huge determinant of whether or not the use of these devices will be successful. Every hospital needs to have clear written protocols on surgical drain management.
Generally, tubes help with decompression of body cavities by preventing accumulation of fluid. Such fluid may be serous fluid, blood or pus. Apart from getting rid of fluids, the drains may also help in the removal of unwanted air (or dead space). This may be necessary such as in the case of tension pneumothorax in which excessive air in the chest cavity causes excesses pressure on the lungs.
The surgeon will decide to place a tube in the body depending on their presence and the nature of operation. Among the commonest operations requiring the use of these tubes is breast surgery. Such surgeries are characterized with accumulation of fluid after the operation which significantly increases the risk of infections. Orthopedic surgeries (more so those in which a joint has to be opened) also frequently require the use of drains.
There are various classifications of drain tubes that can be used. One of them is one the basis of whether the tube is open or closed. The open type is that which directs the fluid into a stoma bag or a gauze pad. The closed type, in contrast, drains into a bag or bottle. This is the type that is mostly used in chest and orthopedic operations.
Another classification that may be considered is that of passive and active types of tubes. The former are so termed because the fluid flows freely under gravity. The patient has to be on a higher level than the container used to collect the fluid for this to happen. This is in contrast to active drain types in which a suctioning force is required to remove fluid from the cavity.
Once the patient has been admitted to the ward after surgery, it is important to ensure that the tube is inspected regularly. The ideal time interval should be every four hours. During the inspections, look out for kinking or blockages, signs of infections and the type of fluid being drained. Passage of pus in a situation where there was none previously should be a warning sign that an infection has set in.
During the scheduled inspection rounds the state of the tube and the amount of fluid drained should be recorded. Suctioning is helpful in removing trapped fluid. The pressure needed for this has to be carefully prescribed as too much of it may cause injury to internal organs. There is a need to secure the tube so that it does not dislodge from its position.
Removal of drains is done when they stop draining or when the amount of fluid released in 24 hours is less than 25 ml. Other centers may use a slightly higher value of 50 ml. The removal may be done in one instance or gradually by pulling it from the site steadily over a few days. Proponents of the latter option believe that it helps the insertion site to heal gradually.
Generally, tubes help with decompression of body cavities by preventing accumulation of fluid. Such fluid may be serous fluid, blood or pus. Apart from getting rid of fluids, the drains may also help in the removal of unwanted air (or dead space). This may be necessary such as in the case of tension pneumothorax in which excessive air in the chest cavity causes excesses pressure on the lungs.
The surgeon will decide to place a tube in the body depending on their presence and the nature of operation. Among the commonest operations requiring the use of these tubes is breast surgery. Such surgeries are characterized with accumulation of fluid after the operation which significantly increases the risk of infections. Orthopedic surgeries (more so those in which a joint has to be opened) also frequently require the use of drains.
There are various classifications of drain tubes that can be used. One of them is one the basis of whether the tube is open or closed. The open type is that which directs the fluid into a stoma bag or a gauze pad. The closed type, in contrast, drains into a bag or bottle. This is the type that is mostly used in chest and orthopedic operations.
Another classification that may be considered is that of passive and active types of tubes. The former are so termed because the fluid flows freely under gravity. The patient has to be on a higher level than the container used to collect the fluid for this to happen. This is in contrast to active drain types in which a suctioning force is required to remove fluid from the cavity.
Once the patient has been admitted to the ward after surgery, it is important to ensure that the tube is inspected regularly. The ideal time interval should be every four hours. During the inspections, look out for kinking or blockages, signs of infections and the type of fluid being drained. Passage of pus in a situation where there was none previously should be a warning sign that an infection has set in.
During the scheduled inspection rounds the state of the tube and the amount of fluid drained should be recorded. Suctioning is helpful in removing trapped fluid. The pressure needed for this has to be carefully prescribed as too much of it may cause injury to internal organs. There is a need to secure the tube so that it does not dislodge from its position.
Removal of drains is done when they stop draining or when the amount of fluid released in 24 hours is less than 25 ml. Other centers may use a slightly higher value of 50 ml. The removal may be done in one instance or gradually by pulling it from the site steadily over a few days. Proponents of the latter option believe that it helps the insertion site to heal gradually.
About the Author:
For the most competent surgical drain management, patients can search for info on the internet. The most convenient way is to log on to http://www.medicaldrain.com today.
No comments:
Post a Comment