Drains, which facilitate the healing process of patients and are an indispensable part of modern medicine, prevent unwanted fluid accumulation in the body after surgery. They are also used to reduce the risk of infection and accelerate the healing process of wounds. Drains are usually placed during or after a surgical procedure. The procedure for placing a drain varies depending on the type of surgery and the area to be drained.
What is a drain?
Drain is the name given to a tube made of plastic material. It is called a medical device or tube that allows the fluids accumulated in the body to be discharged after surgical interventions. A drain allows the body to discharge this fluid to a device attached to the outside in case of any blood or fluid accumulation in the area where it is placed. Since the blood or fluid accumulated in the chamber is also a messenger, it is decided what intervention will be made to the patient according to the incoming fluid status. The drain, which allows the fluids formed in the body to be discharged with the device attached, prevents the fluids from causing infection or any complications.
What is a drain used for?
Drains prevent unwanted fluid accumulation in the body after surgery. In addition, drains provide many other benefits. These include:
- Prevents blood and fluid accumulation that may occur after surgery and delay the healing process,
- The fluid accumulation in the body creates a suitable environment for bacterial growth, but the drain reduces the risk of infection.
- It accelerates the healing of tissues by preventing fluid accumulation in surgical procedures or surgical wounds,
- Fluid accumulations that occur after surgery or trauma can put pressure on organs, and drains reduce this pressure.
In which surgeries is a drain inserted?
The drain varies depending on the type of surgery, the area to be treated, and the possibility of fluid accumulation. Surgeries where drains are placed can be listed as follows:
- Abdominal surgeries,
- Chest surgeries,
- Orthopedic surgeries,
- Plastic surgeries,
- Brain surgery,
- Gynecological surgeries,
- Trauma surgery,
- Liver and pancreas surgeries,
- Kidney and urological surgeries.
How is a drain inserted?
The drain insertion procedure is generally performed during or after the surgical procedure. The drain insertion varies depending on the type of surgery and the area where the drain will be inserted. In general, surgical preparation is performed for the drain insertion procedure. If it will be inserted during surgery, the area where the drain will be placed is determined and it is placed through a hole opened in the tissues or organs under the skin. The drain exits through the skin.
After the drain is placed in the area, it is fixed with stitches or special tapes. This prevents the drain from slipping. In addition, the patient can move comfortably thanks to the fixation. After the drain is placed, it is checked regularly by the doctor or nurses. Both its functionality and the amount of fluid are kept under control.
How many days does the drain stay in?
The drain is generally removed within a few days after insertion. How many days does the drain stay? The answer to the question is that it is removed within a few days after it is installed.
Does it hurt when the drain is removed?
Since the patient is under anesthesia while the drain is being inserted, it is not possible for them to feel it being inserted. However, Does it hurt when the drain comes out? The subject is wondered by many people. The pain experienced when the drain is removed is related to the patient’s pain threshold. In addition, the area where the drain is placed and the duration of its stay can also change the pain experienced while it is being removed.