Some types of surgical drains are:

• Jackson-Pratt drain - consists of a tube connected to a see-through collection bulb. The

bulb has a drainage port which can be opened to remove fluid or air so that the bulb can
be squeezed to create suction. The drain is placed below the area of the wound.
• Penrose drain
• Negative pressure wound therapy - Involves the use of enclosed foam and a suction
device attached; this is one of the newer types of wound healing/drain devices which
promotes faster tissue granulation, often used for large surgical/trauma/non-healing
wounds.
• Redivac drain
• Pigtail drain - has an exterior screw to release the internal "pigtail" before it can be
removed
• Davol
• Chest tube
• Wound manager

A Jackson-Pratt drain, JP drain, or Bulb drain, is a surgical drainage device used to pull
excess fluid from the body by constant suction.

The device consists of a flexible rubber bulb—shaped something like a hand grenade -- that
connects to an internal drainage tube. Removing the bulb's plug, squeezing air out of the bulb
and replacing the plug creates suction in the drainage tubing.

Another method involves folding the drain in half while it is uncapped, then while folded,
recapping the drain. This action causes fluid to be gradually sucked out of the body and into the
bulb itself. The bulb may be repeatedly opened to remove the collected fluid and squeezed again
to restore suction. It is best to empty drains before they are more than half full to avoid the
discomfort of the weight of the drain pulling on the internal tubing

Patients or caretakers can "strip" the drains by taking a damp towel or piece of cloth and bracing
the portion of the tubing closest to the body with their fingers, run the cloth down the length of
the tube to the drain bulb. One can also put a little bit of lotion or mineral oil on their fingertips
• to lubricate the tube to make stripping easier. The portion of the tube closest to the exit point of
the drain from the body should be gripped first, and once the length of the drain is stripped, the
end closest to the bulb should then be released. This increases the level of suction and helps to
move clots through the drainage tube into the bulb.

Common uses
• Abdominal surgery
• Breast surgery
• Mastectomy
• Thoracic surgery
[edit] Drainage care management
Drainage tube pouches Sling and waist pouches, to carry drainage tubes and bulbs, for managing
daily activities and showering.

A Penrose drain is a surgical device placed in a wound to drain fluid. It consists of a soft rubber
tube placed in a wound area, to prevent the build up of fluid.

It is named for the American gynecologist Charles Bingham Penrose (1862–1925)

[edit] Common uses

A Penrose drain removes fluid from a wound area. Frequently it is put in place by a surgeon after
a procedure is complete to prevent the area from accumulating fluid, such as blood, which could
serve as a medium for bacteria to grow in.

In Podiatry, a Penrose drain is often used as a tourniquet during a hallux nail avulsion procedure
or ingrown toenail extraction.

It can also be used to drain cerebrospinal fluid to treat a hydrocephalus patient.

Tubes and Drains

You may have many tubes and drains. Remember that each one has a purpose and will be
removed as soon as possible.

The abdominal incision has dissolvable sutures (stitches) and will have small white bandage-like
strips across it. It will be covered with gauze and a clear plastic dressing. The first dressing put
on in the operating room will be changed at least once before going home from the hospital. The
small white bandages begin to fall off usually about 10 days after surgery. You should leave
them on for as long as they will stay.

Two Jackson Pratt (JP) drains will be put though your skin into your abdomen during surgery
to drain fluid from your pelvis to decrease the risk of infection. These clear thin drainage tubes
will be attached to a soft squeezable bulb about the size and shape of a lemon that has a plug type
closure (like a beach ball cap). The squeeze bulb on the end of the drain tube creates a gentle
suction that helps to get the fluid out of your abdomen faster. Your nurse will open this cap a few
times a day to empty and measure the drainage into a measuring cup. The drainage in the
beginning will be red, and should change to pink then colorless as you heal. The first JP drain is
usually removed four to five days after surgery. The second one is often removed the following
day. There is a gauze dressing around the tube site which your nurse will change once a day and
whenever it becomes wet with drainage.

A drain called a Penrose drain is also placed during surgery and comes out from your anus. It
helps empty any mucous or bloody drainage from the ileal pouch to prevent it from becoming
over distended. It is usually removed five days after your surgery. The pouch will continue to
produce small amounts of mucus daily or every few days. For the first few weeks after surgery, it
may be tinged with blood. At some point you may have an urge to have a bowel movement. You
may need to sit on the toilet and gently push mucus from the anus. The amount of mucus and
frequency of discharge varies. The drainage usually does not have an odor.

The skin around your anus may become irritated after any of the surgical procedures, but the
irritation is most common after the first stage when then ileostomy is closed. The mucosa or
lining of the bowel secretes a slippery mucus to lubricate the passage of stool.. Before the
ileostomy is closed, mucus from the unused lower portion of the colon (i.e. the rectal remnant) or
the "J-pouch" depending upon which stage of surgery you have had, may seep from the anus and
be hard to control. This is temporary and once the ileostomy is closed, the mucus mixes with the
stool and is easier to control.

Using soft toilet paper and keeping the area clean and dry is very important. Initially, some
people feel more comfortable wearing a liner in their underwear to avoid moisture on their
underwear. The treatment for rectal drainage is to protect the surrounding skin. Your nurses will
recommend skin care powders, creams or ointments that will help.

A Nasogatric tube (NGT)is used to help keep your stomach empty, rest your bowel while it
heals, and prevent nausea and vomiting. It will be removed when your stomach and intestine
begin to function normally. Your nurses and doctors will place a stethoscope on your stomach
several times a day to listen for bowel sounds.

An epidural catheter is a small tube which may be placed in your back. Pain medication may be
given through the catheter.

A PCA Pump refers to Patient Controlled Analgesia Pump. This has a button that you push to
give yourself pain medication.

A Foley catheter is placed into your bladder while you are in surgery. This tube drains urine and
empties your bladder. While the epidural or PCA pump is in place, you may not feel the
sensation of a full bladder and your bladder will not empty normally. This is usually removed 6-
8 hours after you begin taking pain medication by mouth.

An intravenous (IV) catheter is inserted into a blood vessel in your arm to give your fluids and
medicines until you are able to drink and eat.

Sequential compression devices (SCDs) sometimes called "Pneumoboots" are sleeves that are
placed around your legs during the operation. These sleeves are attached to a pump that gently
squeezes and then relaxes. These are to help with the blood circulation and prevent any blood
closts from forming in your veins. They will be removed several times a day to wash your legs
and check your skin. They stay on your legs the first few days after surgery until you are getting
up 2-3 times a day and walking around.

You will be shown how to use an incentive spirometer also called a "blow bottle". This will
help inflate you lungs fully and prevent you from taking shallow breaths. Using the incentive
spirometer will decrease the risk of pneumonia.