How Do You Care For A Surgical Drain?
Many surgeons leave drains to prevent the formation of seromas or fluid collections. Drains may be left in place anywhere from 1-2 days to many weeks. If you’ve been dismissed from the hospital with a drain in place, caring for it properly is essential to avoid complications. Wash your hands with soap and water. Pull the plug out of the bulb to release the suction and open it. Pour the fluid inside the bulb into a medicine or measuring cup (your doctor may have sent you home with this). Record the volume of fluid. You can then flush the fluid down the toilet. Squeeze the bulb flat and replace the plug. This will restore the suction within the bulb and close it. If you’re having difficulty squeezing the bulb and closing it, you can put it on a hard, flat surface and press on it to flatten it while you re-plug it. If there is a dressing around the drain site, you can remove it and cleanse the area where the drain exits your body with soap and water. Your doctor may have advised cleaning
