Removing drains too soon may result in fluid buildup, seroma, and the need for fluid aspiration and/or a second surgery. Generally speaking, most patients who require tummy tuck drains are able to have them removed after about 1 – 3 weeks.
If a drain is removed too soon, a seroma (build up of the fluid under the skin that the drain was collecting) may form requiring drainage through the skin. This also increases the risk of infection.
Because early drain removal may increase seroma formation, it is common to wait until the last daily drainage volume falls below 20, or 30 mL before removing the drain.
Answer: Fluid after drain removal
Your body will naturally absorb the drainage as long as it is not excessive and decreasing in production. If the fluid continues to accumulate, then you can develop a seroma (fluid collection).
Then further dressing may be needed to protect the wound until it heals, which is usually within two weeks. But it is very important to follow all the instructions you're given.
Your surgeon will usually remove the bulb when drainage is below 25 ml per day for two days in a row. On average, JP drains can continue to drain for 1 to 5 weeks. Keep a log and bring it to the clinic for discussion so your surgical team can determine the best time to remove the drain.
Starting the day after your drain has been pulled, removed the old dressing, cleanse the area with a new bottle of peroxide and water (50/50), apply the antibiotic ointment to the gauze &/or band aid and then apply that to the area where the drain was pulled. Secure with tape if you have the gauze.
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.
Pain and burning sensation can be normal after taking the drains out. This can last for one or two days, if this last longer please get an evaluation for your surgeon .
Answer: Not necessary to stitch close drain incisions
It isn't necessary to stitch close the incisions where the drains are inserted because they are very small and heal well on their own.
It is normal to have a little bit of drainage after the drain has removed. The skin wound will need a few days to fully close and until that happens some fluid can leak. However, there should not be a large amount of drainage, nor bright red blood. If this happens, go see your surgeon immediately.
Surgical drain and catheter-related complications can occur. These include fragmentation of the drain in the abdomen, pain, infection, loss of function due to obstruction, perforation of visceral organs and probable problems regarding drain withdrawal (3, 4, 7, 8).
Generally, drains should be removed once the drainage has stopped or becomes less than about 25 ml/day. Drains can be 'shortened' by withdrawing them gradually (typically by 2 cm per day) and so, in theory, allowing the site to heal gradually.
Normal wound drainage involves the discharge of thin, watery fluids that may be clear or contain tiny amounts of blood. Abnormal wound drainage is when the discharge is thick, bloody, or has a milky white, yellow, green, gray, or brown color (often with a foul smell).
Hemorrhagic drainage
If the blood is dark red and steadily flowing, it may mean a vein has ruptured.
Empty the reservoir at least two times a day, even if it's not full. You may need to empty it more than twice if it gets full. Change the dressing around the wound at least once a day, or more often if it becomes soaked or dirty. “Milk” the tubing every four hours while you are awake.
A surgical drain can become clogged at the openings or along the length of the tube, and thus, prevent drainage of fluids.
To remove the drain, remove any visible tape that may be securing the tubing to your skin or dressing. Gently pull the plastic tubing out. There may be slight discomfort but the tube should pull out easily. You should leave the rest of the bandage intact unless the physician has instructed you otherwise.
Sometimes there may be contamination or sub-clinical infection of the drain itself, which can cause persistent drainage. Removal of the drain is sometimes all that is necessary in this situation, but as often as not, another drain will need to be reinserted.
The drain(s) is left in place until drainage is approximately 30 cc's or less (or 30 ml's, or 1 ounce) per drain for each of 2 consecutive days. The fluid which collects in the bulb is normally very red at first, changing to more orange or straw-colored the longer it is in place.
Some people drain a lot, some only a little. The Jackson-Pratt drain is usually removed when the drainage is 30 mL or less over 24 hours.
If the drain should accidentally partially come out of the incision site, do not push it back in. It is now contaminated and can cause infection.
– 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. The stitch securing the drain in place is first removed followed by gentle removal of the drainage tube.
You can have swelling after a drain removal. However, it is important that you schedule a follow up appointment sooner rather than later to look at your abdomen because of your increased swelling.