Surgical Drains Flashcards
What are open drains?
Fluid collects into dressing or stoma bag
Eg corrugated rubber or plastic sheets
What are closed drains?
Tube attached to a container
Eg chest drains, Robinson or Redivac
What are active drains?
Driven by suction eg Redivac
What are passive drains?
No suction, driven by pressure differential
Eg Robinson drain
How would you go about removing a drain?
Once drainage has stopped or is less than 25ml/day
24-48hours after peri operative bleeding or haematoma
>5 days after intestinal anastomosis
When shortening, remove by 2cm/day to allow tract to heal gradually
Drains:
Complications
May increase risk of infection
Damage may be caused by mechanical pressure or suction
May limit patient mobility
Robinson drain
Used in abdominal surgery
Risk of infection, contamination with faeces or pus
Redivac Drain
Closed, active drain
Used in breast surgery to prevent seroma or haematoma
Also in thyroid surgery
Bile bags
Closed, passive drainage system
Used with NGT or T-tube
Pemrose drain
Thin plastic tubes
Open, passive drain
Used in abdominal surgery
Tissue drain
Thick rubbery tubes
Open, passive
Used with large cavities
Drains:
Indications
Prophylactic:
Prevent fluid accumulation
Therapeutic:
Drainage of established collections
Drain a viscous eg bladder
Collect blood for autotransfusion
