Instructions After Surgery: Drain Care Instructions

You have had a surgery that required placement of one or more sterile suction drains in the operative site. The purpose of these drains is to allow for the drainage of excess blood and fluid produced by your body in the operative site. Without drains you could get an uncomfortable swelling and accumulation of fluid in the surgical site. This fluid could lead to problems with wound healing or increase your likelihood of getting an infection. Each drain may be removed when it is producing less than 30 ml of fluid in 24 hours.

How to empty the drain reservoir:

• Before and after emptying the drain reservoir, wash your hands well with soap and running water. Pay special attention to rubbing the fingers, fingernails, palms and the back of your hands. Hand washing is important to prevent contamination of your drain and infection of your surgical site.
• Empty your drain reservoir when it is half full or at least once a day and record the date, the time and the amount of drainage.
• To empty the reservoir, pull the plug on the top of the suction bulb. Pour the contents into a measuring cup and record the amount of drainage and the date and time of emptying.
• After emptying, measuring and recording the fluid, squeeze the sides of the reservoir to remove all the air and reinsert the plug on top of the reservoir. This creates a gentle suction. The drain works properly only when the sides of the reservoir are flattened and when a light suction is created.
• Pin the reservoir to your clothing to prevent pulling on the tubing.
• Wash your hands.
• When there has been less than 30 ml of fluid in 24 hours, call the Plastic Surgery Clinic at (408) 851-2000 to get an appointment with a Physician Assistant to remove the drain.

After the Physician Assistant removes your drain, it is normal to have a small amount of fluid collect under the skin. Over time the body will reabsorb this fluid. If a large amount of fluid collects it is called a seroma. If large enough, the fluid in the seroma may have to be withdrawn with a needle.

After your drains have been removed you may shower. Until then sponge bathing is allowed but you may NOT get the drain sites wet.