When you first get the drain, the fluid will be bloody. It will change colour from red to pink to a light yellow or clear as the wound heals and the fluid starts to go away. Your doctor may give you information on when you no longer need the drain and when it will be removed.
Normal wound drainage involves the discharge of thin, watery fluids that may be clear or contain tiny amounts of blood. Abnormal wound drainage is when the discharge is thick, bloody, or has a milky white, yellow, green, gray, or brown color (often with a foul smell).
Color is generally clear to pale yellow (normal), red (fresh blood), brown (dried or old blood), white (see above), or blue-green (usually indicative of Pseudomonas infection and should be cultured). The amount of drainage is generally documented as absent, scant, minimal, moderate, large, or copious.
You may have a tube or drain placed in the surgical site to remove excess fluid or blood. The drained fluid is collected into a dressing, bag, or container. You should see the drainage decrease after you go home, and you may see it change color.
Serous drainage is composed mainly of plasma. It is often thin and watery and will usually have a clear to yellowish or brownish appearance. Small amounts of serous drainage are normal during the first stages of healing.
Purulent drainage is a sign of infection. It's a white, yellow, or brown fluid and might be slightly thick in texture. It's made up of white blood cells trying to fight the infection, plus the residue from any bacteria pushed out of the wound. There may be an unpleasant smell to the fluid, as well.
In the days and weeks after surgery your body needs time to repair the incision. During this time, the incision will likely become inflamed and there may be some drainage. A mild amount of drainage from the incision is normal.
– Is drain removal painful? Patients may experience a pulling or pressure sensation, however there is generally no pain experienced during drain removal. Drain removal takes only a few seconds. The stitch securing the drain in place is first removed followed by gentle removal of the drainage tube.
On average, JP drains can continue to drain for 1 to 5 weeks. Keep a log and bring it to the clinic for discussion so your surgical team can determine the best time to remove the drain. slide the fluid towards the bulb.
When you first get the drain, the fluid will be bloody. It will change colour from red to pink to a light yellow or clear as the wound heals and the fluid starts to go away. Your doctor may give you information on when you no longer need the drain and when it will be removed.
Surgical drains are implants that allow removal of fluid and/or gas from a wound or body cavity. This broad definition includes nasogastric tubes, urinary catheters, vascular access ports, and ventriculoperitoneal shunts.
This is typical when the wound is healing, but the inflammation around the injury is still high. A small amount of serous drainage is normal. Excessive serous fluid could be a sign of too much unhealthy bacteria on the surface of the wound.
There are four types of wound drainage: serous, sanguineous, serosanguinous, and purulent. Serous drainage is clear, thin, and watery. The production of serous drainage is a typical response from the body during the normal inflammatory healing stage.
This type of drainage is a normal part of the inflammatory phase of wound healing, but it should lessen considerably over time and stop after a few hours in most instances. In some deeper wounds, sanguineous wound drainage may continue for a few days but should distinctly lessen in volume.
How long does incision and drainage take to heal? After an abscess has been treated it can typically take about 2-3 weeks to completely heal, but most people can return to normal activities after a few days.
You may shower after you have had the drain in place for 48 hours, after you have removed your outer surgical dressing (if you have one), or if you do not have an outer dressing. – To keep your drain in place in the shower, attach it to a lanyard or shoelace looped loosely around your neck.
Answer: Fluid after drain removal
Your body will naturally absorb the drainage as long as it is not excessive and decreasing in production. If the fluid continues to accumulate, then you can develop a seroma (fluid collection).
Removing drains too soon may result in fluid buildup, seroma, and the need for fluid aspiration and/or a second surgery. Generally speaking, most patients who require tummy tuck drains are able to have them removed after about 1 – 3 weeks.
Answer: Not necessary to stitch close drain incisions
It isn't necessary to stitch close the incisions where the drains are inserted because they are very small and heal well on their own.
I see blood clots or solid debris in the drain tubing/bulb: It is common for small debris or a blood clot to be found inside the tubing or bulb. The blood clot appears as a dark, stringy lining. It could prevent the drainage from flowing through the tube. Try to strip the drain to move the clot into the bulb.
Do not drive until all drains have been removed. Do not lift anything heavy (more than 10 pounds), or do repetitive arm motions like raking or vacuuming for 1 week after all drains have been removed. Your surgeon will call you to talk about the pathology results about 7-10 business days after surgery.
Drainage can be a sign of infection, but not always. The actual appearance of drainage will indicate if the wound is healing normally or if it requires further medical attention.
Too much wound drainage: wound bed has free fluid visible, the dressing is wet or saturated, frequent changes required, and periwound skin may be macerated or denuded.
An abscess is a collection of pus. Pus is a thick fluid that usually contains white blood cells, dead tissue and germs (bacteria). The pus may be yellow or green and may have a bad smell.