mercredi 17 juin 2015

Proper Management Of A Drain Tube After Surgery

By Freida Michael


Drains are vital in post-surgery management of wounds. They help in eliminating pus, blood and liquid remnants after an operation. Their use is determined by the preference of the surgeon, the type of operation, expected drainage, resulting wound and if the patient needs drains for proper healing. Management of a drain tube after surgery determines the rate and success of any healing process.

There exist a variety of drains that can be used in post-surgery treatment. They include the Pigtail, Redivac, Penrose and Jackson-Pratt tubes. Each fits a particular area of the body, type of wound and is used depending on management ease it provides to the treatment team. However, despite the glaring differences, there are general management requirements that apply to all drains.

Regular assessment ensures that drains continue their intended work throughout the treatment period. Initial assessment should establish signs of an ooze, redness or leakage around the insertion site. It should be safely located below the wound or point of surgery. For easier management, document the support mechanism which is either tape or suture, the suction needed and the expected drainage from the recovering patient.

The management team must be notified of any danger signs observed around the wound. They include tenderness or increased redness around the insertion. They are likely to indicate a growing infection. The nurse needs to take blood samples for more tests. The level of drainage should be closely monitored and recorded on a chart. A blocked tube exposes the wound to haematoma, a very painful and risky condition.

The use of drains should be for the shortest time possible. Keeping drains for too long exposes a patient to infections and the possibility of developing granulation tissues. These complications are very painful and cause trauma during removal. The medical team handling a patient must be informed if you suspect an infection.

Proper management of drains should also be taught to relatives and friends interacting with the affected patient besides the recovering patient. This will help them avoid any situation that may affect its performance or cause more pain to the sick person. They should learn to identify danger signs like dislodged drains and communicate with the resident nurse. Their knowledge helps to minimize the chances of dangerous interference.

If drainage stops, the situation must be communicated to the supervising surgeon. This will initiate necessary intervention measures to protect the affected patient from complications or other health risks. Another danger that must be communicated is leakage. It is catastrophic if it penetrates to surrounding tissues.

Regular check for blockage though it is a rare occurrence. The plan for removal needs to be discussed by the entire medical team. The patient should know about the procedure and the pain associated with it. The amount of drainage should be monitored and recorded on a chart up to the last minute. The entry site must be treated well to reduce the risks of infection.




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