Important Considerations In Surgical Drain Management
by Thomas Lewis
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 <a href="http://www.medicaldrain.com">surgical drain management</a>.
The general purpose of these tubes is to decompress cavities by allowing for the free flow of fluids. They prevent the accumulation of fluids such as pus, blood and serous fluids. The other important indication is that they help prevent accumulation of air (also known as dead space). Drains may also be inserted when there may be a need to characterize the fluid as the patient continues to recover.
The surgeon will make a decision to have the drain depending on their preference and the kind of operation they will be conducting. Breast surgery is one of the operations that require the placement of tubes due to the high risk of fluid accumulation. Another group of operations in which these tubes play a vital role is orthopedic operations especially those involving the opening of joint spaces.
There are many different classifications that are used for the tubes. The tubes may be classified as being closed or open. The closed type is that in which the fluid drains into a bottle or a bag. The open type is so called because of the fact that both ends are open. The tube empties its contents into a stoma bag or onto a gauze pad. This type has a higher risk of infections.
The tubes may also be classified into active and passive types. The active types are those that rely on a suctioning force to work. The passive tubes, in contrast, work under the influence of gravity hence do not need to be connected to a suctioning tube. All that one needs to do is to have the patient placed at a higher level than the collection container. The third classification takes into consideration the material used. Thus we have silicon and rubber tubes.
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.
The drain tubes will be removed when they have stopped functioning. In most centers, they will be removed if the 24 hour output is 25ml or less. The tube can be pulled out gently in one instance or can be removed slowly over time. The second option is said to aid in gradual healing of the insertion site. There may be associated pain or discomfort.
For the most competent <a href="http://www.medicaldrain.com">surgical drain management</a>, patients can search for info on the internet. The most convenient way is to log on to http://www.medicaldrain.com today.
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New Unique Article!
Title: Important Considerations In Surgical Drain Management
Author: Thomas Lewis
Email: nathanwebster335@live.com
Keywords: surgical drain management
Word Count: 575
Category: Disease & Illness
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