You'll go home with at least 1 JP drain in place. The drain(s) will usually be removed about 1 to 2 weeks after your surgery but may be left in longer. One of your nurses will teach you how to care for the drain(s) before you leave the hospital.

When should drain be removed after mastectomy?

When can I expect to have the drain(s) removed? You will have the drain(s) for at least 5 days and up to 3 weeks. Your drain will come out when the drainage is less than 30 millilitres (just over 2 tablespoons) in 24 hours for 2 days in a row. A nurse can remove your drain.

When can surgical drains be removed?

Generally speaking, a drain can be removed when there is less than 30 cubic centimeters (1 ounce) of fluid for two straight days or three weeks after surgery, whichever comes first. Having a drain removed usually does not hurt, but it can feel rather odd as the tubing slides out of the body.

Is it painful to have a surgical drain removed?

Removing surgical drains can be painful. Currently, there is no evidence to predict which patients may experience greater pain than others.

When do you remove JP drain?

The drain should be emptied as often as possible so that the bulb can be compressed fully to maintain suction. In general, this is usually done every four to six hours the first few days until the amount decreases. The drain should remain in place until your doctor tells you it is okay to be removed.

Breast Cancer Surgery – Drain Care

20 related questions found

What color is serous drainage?

Serous drainage is composed mainly of plasma. It is often thin and watery and will usually have a clear to yellowish or brownish appearance. Small amounts of serous drainage are normal during the first stages of healing.

What to expect when removing drains?

After drain removal, cover the site with a Band-Aid or dressing for one day.
...
Care After Surgery (Drains)

1. Drains do NOT prevent a patient from showering or bathing.
2. Keep the drain pinned to clothing to prevent pulling and tugging at the skin.
3. Measure and record the output twice a day in a journal/log.

Can you shower with surgical drains?

Your surgeon will let you know how long to wait before showering after your drain is removed. Don't take a tub bath or submerge the area in water (such as in a bathtub or swimming pool) until 6 weeks after your reconstructive surgery. Wash the site gently with soap and rinse the area with warm water.

How long does it take for a drain wound to heal?

The wound will take about 1 to 2 weeks to heal, depending on the size of the abscess. Healthy tissue will grow from the bottom and sides of the opening until it seals over.

How do you sleep with a JP drain?

Sleep on the side opposite of the drain. This will help you to avoid blocking the tubing or pulling it out of the suction bulb. Ask your doctor about when it is safe to shower, bathe, or soak in water.

What happens if surgical drains are removed too soon?

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. The purpose of postmastectomy draining is to detect postoperative bleeding that usually stops within 48 hours.

What is the stringy stuff in my surgical drain?

You may see some air bubbles or pieces that are stringy, white, or bloody in your tubing or drainage container. This is normal. It's important to make sure the tube doesn't get clogged. “Milking” the tube may help to move small pieces of tissue or clots out of the tube.

How long do drainage tubes stay in?

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.

How are drains removed after a mastectomy?

Your surgeon will remove your drains by cutting the suture holding it in place and gently pulling out the tubing. You may notice a pulling sensation, but this only lasts a few minutes. Most people do not need any pain medications for this procedure.

Does JP drain removal hurt?

The JP drain site may be painful. You may have trouble lying on the side with your JP drain. Your JP drain site may leak. The JP drain may be pulled out by accident.

How are surgical drain tubes removed?

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.

Do wounds heal faster covered or uncovered?

A handful of studies have found that when wounds are kept moist and covered, blood vessels regenerate faster and the number of cells that cause inflammation drop more rapidly than they do in wounds allowed to air out. It is best to keep a wound moist and covered for at least five days.

What is the yellow fluid that leaks from wounds called?

Purulent Wound Drainage

Purulent drainage is a sign of infection. It's a white, yellow, or brown fluid and might be slightly thick in texture. It's made up of white blood cells trying to fight the infection, plus the residue from any bacteria pushed out of the wound.

How do you shower with a mastectomy drain?

You may take a shower and begin JP drain site care 48 hours after surgery. Place a ribbon, cloth belt or similar item around your waist to secure the drain while taking a shower. Be sure that the person taking care of the drain washes their hands thoroughly with soap and water.

What are the types of surgical drains?

DRAIN TYPES

• Passive Drains. Passive drains are made of latex, polypropylene, or silastic rubber. ...
• Active Drains. Active drains are closed systems that collect fluid into a reservoir. ...
• Negative-Pressure Wound Therapy. ...
• Infection. ...
• Vascular Damage. ...
• Spread of Neoplastic Cells. ...
• Dehiscence. ...
• Blockage.

Is drainage after surgery normal?

Some drainage from the incision may be expected for the first few days after surgery. But if the discharge does not decrease after a few days, becomes bright red with blood, or contains pus, contact your doctor.

What to do after surgical drain is removed?

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.

What care will be given for a drain after surgery?

Clean the drain site and the skin around it with soap and water. Use gauze or a cotton swab. When the site is dry, put on a new dressing. The way your dressing is put on depends on what kind of drain you have.

Why does my wound keep weeping?

Serous drainage

This is typical when the wound is healing, but the inflammation around the injury is still high. A small amount of serous drainage is normal. Excessive serous fluid could be a sign of too much unhealthy bacteria on the surface of the wound.

What are the 4 types of wound drainage?

There are four types of wound drainage: serous, sanguineous, serosanguinous, and purulent. Serous drainage is clear, thin, and watery. The production of serous drainage is a typical response from the body during the normal inflammatory healing stage.