Whenever a body cavity such as the abdomen or chest is operated on, a drain connecting it to the outside is usually left in position. The need for such a drain is particularly high if fluids have been found within the cavity or if they are likely to accumulate after the operation. Such fluids include blood, serous secretions and mucous. While there are numerous benefits of having a drain tube after surgery, some complications may set in if the drain is not properly taken care of.
The mechanisms that are involved in the removal of fluids from body cavities after operations fall under two categories: active and passive. The passive process depends on the force of gravity. To utilize this mechanism, a jar is connected to a drain and placed below the level of the patient. The active mechanism, on the other hand, requires some type of suctioning force to be used. The choice of the mechanism depends on the type of operation.
Since the tube remains in position for a couple of days, most of the care takes place in the post-surgical wards. The staff in the ward should inspect the tube and the associated equipment at regular intervals to ensure that it is functioning normally. Some of the things to look out for as soon as the patient is admitted to the ward include inspecting for leakages, signs of infection, blockage and the presence of inflammation.
Subsequent inspections should ideally be made at intervals of four hours. The same procedure conducted during the initial evaluation should be repeated. One of the most frequently encountered complications is localized or generalized infection. Such should be suspected if there is abnormal oozing (of pus), redness at the point of entry, increased tenderness within the site and a fever. A cotton swab of pus and blood culture tests are usually used for confirmation.
Leakage tends to occur if proper fixation is not done. It is important that an airtight seal is created between the incision and the tube. Another common causes of leakage includes frequent movements of patients. A temporary solution to this problem is reinforcement with dressings and adhesive tape as a more long lasting solution is awaited. In this case, the solution is to stitch the area with surgical sutures.
It is important that all the findings after each inspection are properly documented. This is especially important for the monitoring of the amount of fluid that is being drained; there is a need to know whether it is increasing or reducing. In the event that any abnormalities are noticed the head of the treatment team is informed so that the problem can be rectified.
The tube is usually removed once it stops draining or when the amount that is drained per day reduces to less than 25 milliliters. The removal process may be painful so it is advisable that patients receive some painkillers before it is done. Persons that have had the drain for a prolonged period of time are likely to experience more pain due to the formation of granulation tissue around it. The defect that is left is closed with a few stitches.
The patient can be discharged from the hospital once the tube is removed except when other complications have been identified. Antibiotics will be needed for some time to prevent infections even as dressing is continued. If you notice an increase in oozing, experience a fever or notice the insertion area is tender, talk to your doctor.
The mechanisms that are involved in the removal of fluids from body cavities after operations fall under two categories: active and passive. The passive process depends on the force of gravity. To utilize this mechanism, a jar is connected to a drain and placed below the level of the patient. The active mechanism, on the other hand, requires some type of suctioning force to be used. The choice of the mechanism depends on the type of operation.
Since the tube remains in position for a couple of days, most of the care takes place in the post-surgical wards. The staff in the ward should inspect the tube and the associated equipment at regular intervals to ensure that it is functioning normally. Some of the things to look out for as soon as the patient is admitted to the ward include inspecting for leakages, signs of infection, blockage and the presence of inflammation.
Subsequent inspections should ideally be made at intervals of four hours. The same procedure conducted during the initial evaluation should be repeated. One of the most frequently encountered complications is localized or generalized infection. Such should be suspected if there is abnormal oozing (of pus), redness at the point of entry, increased tenderness within the site and a fever. A cotton swab of pus and blood culture tests are usually used for confirmation.
Leakage tends to occur if proper fixation is not done. It is important that an airtight seal is created between the incision and the tube. Another common causes of leakage includes frequent movements of patients. A temporary solution to this problem is reinforcement with dressings and adhesive tape as a more long lasting solution is awaited. In this case, the solution is to stitch the area with surgical sutures.
It is important that all the findings after each inspection are properly documented. This is especially important for the monitoring of the amount of fluid that is being drained; there is a need to know whether it is increasing or reducing. In the event that any abnormalities are noticed the head of the treatment team is informed so that the problem can be rectified.
The tube is usually removed once it stops draining or when the amount that is drained per day reduces to less than 25 milliliters. The removal process may be painful so it is advisable that patients receive some painkillers before it is done. Persons that have had the drain for a prolonged period of time are likely to experience more pain due to the formation of granulation tissue around it. The defect that is left is closed with a few stitches.
The patient can be discharged from the hospital once the tube is removed except when other complications have been identified. Antibiotics will be needed for some time to prevent infections even as dressing is continued. If you notice an increase in oozing, experience a fever or notice the insertion area is tender, talk to your doctor.
About the Author:
When you are looking for the facts about a drain tube after surgery, pay a visit to our web pages online here today. Additional details are available at http://www.medicaldrain.com now.
Post A Comment:
0 comments:
Thanx for viewing us