If you have recently had surgery you have a lot of things on your mind. You may still be recovering from the procedure itself and trying to deal with pain and loss of mobility. If you have a drain, you may also be trying to care for this device as well. Surgical drain care is not difficult and there are really only a few steps to accomplishing it.
You may have had surgery in the past and not had a drain installed. Not every surgery results in the use of one of these devices. There are procedures, however, that have a better recovery rate if a drain is installed. If you have surgery where a cavity will remain (as in an area where a lump or other piece of tissue was removed), you can end up having fluid or air build up. This makes it impossible for the body to heal properly. Drains allow your body to get rid of these substances and heal properly.
One of the main problems with any incision healing is the fact that it could become infected. Suturing an incision closed will help prevent this, but what do you do if you have an open wound with a drain inserted into it? The key is to handle the area properly so that you do not end up with bigger problems later on.
Your doctor may have specific instructions that they want you to follow. This may include specific colors of fluids to look for. They may also send home written instructions with you after your surgery or give instructions to your caregiver so that they can look after you properly. If there are specific instructions relating to your surgery it is important that you follow them to ensure you heal properly.
A drain is made up several parts. The first is a thin tube, usually made of soft, flexible plastic which is inserted into your wound. This is the tube that the liquid or air will use to move out of your body while it heals. The other part of the device is a bulb. This is a small reservoir where the liquid can collect. There is quite often a valve or other way that you can open the bulb in order to get rid of any accumulated fluid.
Before you do anything, you want to make sure that your hands are clean. This will keep you from accidentally introducing bacteria into your drain or your incision. Also, if there are any tools that you have been given they should also be cleaned thoroughly. You may get a cup to measure your discharge and again, this needs to be washed properly.
Unless your doctor has told you otherwise, check your bulb for fluid four times a day. In the beginning, fluid will drain out more quickly than it will as healing progresses. If you find that your bulb is more than half full, it is a good time to get rid of the liquid. Make sure you write down how much collected and what it looked like.
Keep an eye on the incision as well. Make sure that it is not looking red and inflamed or that there is no discharge coming from the wound instead of the drain. Also make sure that the tube is not kinked or bent. If there are any problems, make sure you call your doctor and be prepared to have them check the area for infections.
You may have had surgery in the past and not had a drain installed. Not every surgery results in the use of one of these devices. There are procedures, however, that have a better recovery rate if a drain is installed. If you have surgery where a cavity will remain (as in an area where a lump or other piece of tissue was removed), you can end up having fluid or air build up. This makes it impossible for the body to heal properly. Drains allow your body to get rid of these substances and heal properly.
One of the main problems with any incision healing is the fact that it could become infected. Suturing an incision closed will help prevent this, but what do you do if you have an open wound with a drain inserted into it? The key is to handle the area properly so that you do not end up with bigger problems later on.
Your doctor may have specific instructions that they want you to follow. This may include specific colors of fluids to look for. They may also send home written instructions with you after your surgery or give instructions to your caregiver so that they can look after you properly. If there are specific instructions relating to your surgery it is important that you follow them to ensure you heal properly.
A drain is made up several parts. The first is a thin tube, usually made of soft, flexible plastic which is inserted into your wound. This is the tube that the liquid or air will use to move out of your body while it heals. The other part of the device is a bulb. This is a small reservoir where the liquid can collect. There is quite often a valve or other way that you can open the bulb in order to get rid of any accumulated fluid.
Before you do anything, you want to make sure that your hands are clean. This will keep you from accidentally introducing bacteria into your drain or your incision. Also, if there are any tools that you have been given they should also be cleaned thoroughly. You may get a cup to measure your discharge and again, this needs to be washed properly.
Unless your doctor has told you otherwise, check your bulb for fluid four times a day. In the beginning, fluid will drain out more quickly than it will as healing progresses. If you find that your bulb is more than half full, it is a good time to get rid of the liquid. Make sure you write down how much collected and what it looked like.
Keep an eye on the incision as well. Make sure that it is not looking red and inflamed or that there is no discharge coming from the wound instead of the drain. Also make sure that the tube is not kinked or bent. If there are any problems, make sure you call your doctor and be prepared to have them check the area for infections.
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