Search the site for providers, locations, and content.
Main Menu
Recovery
SURGICAL DRAIN: WHEN TO CALL YOUR DOCTOR
SURGICAL DRAIN: WHEN TO CALL YOUR DOCTORTRANSCRIPTA surgical drain is a safe and effective part of your recovery. Make sure your drainand insertion site are kept clean, infection free and in good working order. To ensure itstays working safely, here are some things to keep in mind.If your healthcare provider says you can shower with your drain, after you shower,make sure you dry the site thoroughly and put on new dressings.Do not go swimming or take a tub bath while you have a surgical drain. Avoid contactsports.Wear loose clothing that does not rub or pull on your tubing. You may want to usea safety pin to attach it to your clothing, or put it in a fanny pack to avoid accidentalpulling or catching on anything.Try to sleep in a comfortable position that does not pull on your tubing. And checkyour tubing for any twists, kinks, tears or cracks on a regular basis.Each time you empty the fluid, check the area around your drain insertion site for anysigns of infection. Look for: increased pain, swelling, warmth or redness at the area;red streaks leading from your insertion site; cloudy or foul smelling drainage; or blooddraining from the site. If you notice any of these signs, or develop a fever, call yourhealthcare provider right away.“And as far as the tenderness, it’s around the area, you know, where the drainactually comes out the port area. I did check it, it didn’t seem warm or anythinglike that, it was just very tender.”You may have an infection that needs to be treated right away.If at any point you notice a blood clot in the drain that seems to be completelyblocking the tube, call your healthcare provider.If you notice a large amount of fluid leaking from the drain site, check to make20%surethegradient meshsuction is working properly by making sure your bulb is flat and the plug is in. Cleanthe area around the insertion site and change the dressings. Then call your healthcarehealthclipsprovider.And if your drain falls out at home, call your healthcare provider right away.healthclipsIn the days and weeks following surgery, your surgical drain is an important partofhealthclipsyour recovery. Follow all of your healthcare provider’s instructions to keep it safe andhealthclipsinfection free.4% gradient meshThis program is for informational purposes only. Publisher disclaims all guarantees regarding the accuracy, completeness, orsuitability of this video for medical decision making. For all health related issues please contact your healthcare provider.hc_qc_10031_98_en_t00002.pdf healthclips© Milner-Fenwick, Inc.5% gradient mesh
Featured in
Watch this to know what to expect on the day of your surgery and for the remainder of your hospital stay.
Learn how to properly change your surgical dressings in order to prevent infection and keep your surgical drain healthy.
Learn the steps for caring for your IV catheter at home.
Watch this to learn how to change your tracheostomy.
