Your surgical drain is a tube that is placed at the surgical site. The tube has small holes in it that collect fluid and then drains it into a storage reservoir called a bulb. This helps prevent excess body fluid buildup at your surgical site. We know that drains can be intimidating and difficult to care for but they are commonly used in surgery and help optimize your recovery and can limit complications.
What should the fluid look like?
For the first few days, the fluid may be bloody. As you heal, it should start to change to a clear red or pink color and then usually a straw-colored fluid.
How do I care for my drain?
Caring for the drain is easy. You should empty the drain every 8 hours and anytime the bulb is almost full.
How to empty the drain:
- Wash your hands with soap and water.
- Open the bulb by pulling out the stopper.
- Strip the drain by milking all the fluid out of the drain tubing and into the bulb.
- Pinch the drain tubing with one hand near where it comes out from the skin.
- With the other hand, pinch the tubing (either with your fingers or using an alcohol pad) and run your fingers along the tubing to milk the fluid out into the bulb. Using an alcohol pad can make this slightly easier.
- Empty the fluid into a measuring container.
- Record the amount of fluid that is drained (either from measurement on the bulb itself or the container). Record this amount on the drainage log along with the color, date and time.
- Empty fluid into toilet and flush.
- Squeeze the bulb and replace the stopper. The bulb should stay flat after the stopper is replaced (this creates a vacuum effect).
- Wash hands and rinse out measuring container.
If you have more than one drain, please record each drain separately.
Drain removal
Your drain will be removed in the office when it meets certain criteria. Generally, this is when the output is less than 30 ml for several days.
What if I have concerns about my drain?
Call the office if you experience any of the following:
- the fluid in the drain changes to a bloody or green color after being clear
- the fluid has a foul odor
- the drain stops working abruptly or the bulb stops holding suction
- fluid stops draining from the tube and starts drainage from around the tube site at the skin.
