What types of drain are most commonly used?
A surgical drain is a tube used to remove pus, blood or other fluids from a wound [1] body cavity, or organ. They are commonly placed by surgeons or interventional radiologists after procedures or some types of injuries, but they can also be used as an intervention for decompression.
Drains are classified by various systems: open or closed and passive or active.
Passive drains rely on gravity, body movement, pressure differentials, or overflow to move fluid or gas; Penrose drain - a soft rubber tube
Active drains use intermittent or continuous negative pressure to pull fluid or gas from a wound or body cavity.
Jackson-Pratt drain - consists of a perforated round or flat tube connected to a negative pressure collection device. The collection device is typically a bulb with a drainage port which can be opened to remove fluid or air. After compressing the bulb to remove fluid or air, negative pressure is created as the bulb returns to its normal shape.
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.
Blake drain - a round silicone tube with channels that carry fluid to a negative pressure collection device. Drainage is thought to be achieved by capillary action, allowing fluid to travel through the open grooves into a closed cross section, which contains the fluid and allows it to be suctioned through the tube.[2]
Redivac drain - a high negative pressure drain. Suction is applied through the drain to generate a vacuum and draw fluids into a bottle.
Pigtail drain - has an exterior screw to release the internal "pigtail" before it can be removed.
Chest tube - is a flexible plastic tube that is inserted through the chest wall and into the pleural space or mediastinum- Wound manager
References[edit]
- ^ Jain, Sudhir Kumar; Stoker, David L.; Tanwar, Raman (2013-04-30). Basic Surgical Skills and Techniques. JP Medical Ltd. pp. 70–73. ISBN 9789350903759. Retrieved 2014-09-07.
- ^ Obney, James; Mary Barnes; et al. (2000). "A method for mediastinal drainage after cardiac procedures using small silastic drains". The Annals of Thoracic Surgery. 70 (3): 1109–110. 10.1016/s0003-4975(00)01800-2. PMID 11016389.
