By and large, drains are not painful to have in place. But they can cause discomfort, depending on how big they are and where they are placed. Typically, the discomfort is mild. But it's fair to say that the larger the drain, the greater the likelihood that it will cause some pain.
A reported method to decrease pain while removing the drain is injection of lidocaine through the skin around the drain tube [14].
How Long Does It Take for a Drain Hole to Heal? The drainage hole is about as wide as a pencil. The hole will close in a few days and fully heal in three to four weeks.
– 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.
Incision and drainage is a painful procedure that, in addition to local anesthetic, may also require oral or even parenteral analgesia.
Risk and benefits. Abscess drainage is a safe, minimally invasive procedure that is typically done in an outpatient setting. Since it requires only one small incision, you can expect less pain and a faster recovery compared to surgical drainage.
Incision and drainage (I&D), also known as clinical lancing, are minor surgical procedures to release pus or pressure built up under the skin, such as from an abscess, boil, or infected paranasal sinus.
Do not take a bath, sit in a hot tub, or go swimming while you have the drain. 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.
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.
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. You should be shown how to empty the drain before you are discharged, and you should ask if you need to measure the drainage.
You may shower 48 hours after your drain is removed. If you have more than one drain, you cannot shower until the last drain has been out for 48 hours.
Unfortunately, removing your drain too soon could cause a host of issues. From minor inconveniences like swelling and fluid accumulation to major problems like infection and tissue death.
Clots can slow or prevent draining. Do not sleep on the same side as the tube. Secure the tube and bulb inside your clothing with a safety pin (do not puncture the tube or bulb) to help prevent pulling.
Disadvantages include: Drains can be sore, inconvenient, and may increase the risk of infection. They do not necessarily prevent a serum or fluid collection. They can clot off or a collection can occur after the drain is removed.
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.
After drain removal, cover the site with a Band-Aid or dressing for one day. After one day, the hole usually is closed. You can use a Band-Aid or other dressing if there is leakage from the hole. Shower and bathe as usual.
Patients appreciate that drain-free procedures CAN offer:
Not only, less discomfort during recovery (better sleep) But, fewer incisions for the drains/tubes. And, fewer skin disruptions as they heal. As well as, less risk of wound infection.
Using standard aseptic technique, clean around the site and remove any sutures. Pinching the edges of the skin together, rotate tubing from side to side gently to loosen, then remove the drain using a smooth, but fast, continuous traction. Tie off any purse-string sutures and apply occlusive dressing.
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.
You may shower after you remove the bandage, but don't take a tub bath or submerge the area in water (such as in a bathtub or swimming pool) until your incision is completely closed and there's no drainage. Wash the site gently with soap and rinse the area with warm water. Pat the area dry.
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.
Incision and drainage
If your skin abscess needs draining, you'll probably have a small operation carried out under anaesthetic – usually a local anaesthetic, where you remain awake and the area around the abscess is numbed. During the procedure, the surgeon cuts into the abscess, to allow the pus to drain out.
Incision and drainage are minor surgical procedures used to release pus or pressure built up under the skin, such as from an abscess. Clinical lancing can also be performed for infected paranasal sinuses.