What is the significance of the drainage tube?
With regards to the drain: The amount of drainage is not of much significance. If the drainage begins to look like oral intake that is of concern and should be confirmed by drinking something blue or purple (food coloring or grape juice) and seeing if the color appears in the drainage. If it does it should occasion a call to the physician. Drainage or wetness outside and around the drain tubing is usual and does not signifiy that anything is wrong, in particular it is not a sign of infection. Redness extending more than two inches from the drain site should be seen by the surgeon. The drain is protection against a wound infection at the drain site and against the life threatening consequences of a leak. Leaks are very rare after two weeks. Removal of the drain before two weeks after surgery entails some extra risk. Patients who want the drain removed early should consider the risk. About 2% of patients will develop a leak. It is ok to shower and get incision sites or drain sites wet an
With regards to the drain: The amount of drainage is not of much significance. If the drainage begins to look like oral intake that is of concern and should be confirmed by drinking something blue or purple (food coloring or grape juice) and seeing if the color appears in the drainage. If it does it should occasion a call to the physician. Drainage or wetness outside and around the drain tubing is usual and does not signify that anything is wrong, in particular it is not a sign of infection. Redness extending more than two inches from the drain site should be seen by the surgeon. The drain is protection against a wound infection at the drain site and against the life threatening consequences of a leak. Leaks are very rare after two weeks. Removal of the drain before two weeks after surgery entails some extra risk. Patients who want the drain removed early should consider the risk. About 2% of patients will develop a leak. It is ok to shower and get incision sites or drain sites wet and
