Serosanguinous fluid after surgery skin#

Drains are often kept in situ until the daily drainage falls below 25 ml. The usual postoperative course in patients who had head and neck operations without neck dissection is uncomplicated and the duration of their in-patient stay is often dictated by the time the suction drains remain in place. We designed a prospective study measuring 8-hourly drainage rate in order to establish the optimum time for drain removal. This study aimed to determine whether measurement at shorter intervals is a better basis for decisions on drain removal. The drains were usually left in situ for a further 24 h until their volumes were re-measured thus, patients' period of hospitalisation tends to be prolonged further than necessary.Īnecdotally, most of drainage occurs in the early postoperative hours and decreases dramatically after this period. Factors such as the time of completion of surgery and expected accumulation of fluid in the dissected tissue spaces in the immediate postoperative period are not taken into consideration. 5, 6 In our experience, this measurement reflects drainage rates inaccurately. The drains are removed when the volume is ≤ 25 ml over a 24-h period (∼1 ml/h). Traditionally, the decision for drain removal is based on the total amount of drainage measured the morning after surgery. However, in a patient with a neck drain in place, there are many associated nursing and care issues to be considered. Its use depends on individual cases as well as surgeons' experience and preference. 3, 4ĭrain insertion is not a standard practice in all head and neck operations. Therefore, early removal of drains or even eliminating the use of drains could reduce the period of a patient's hospitalisation and expedite recovery. However, the use of drains is not without consequences – they require a high level of maintenance, cause discomfort, and serve as potential route for infection when drainage is prolonged.

1, 2 Surgeons often use closed drainage systems to reduce these complications.

Serosanguinous fluid after surgery skin#

Head and neck operations are associated with clinically significant postoperative morbidities such as haematoma, seroma, wound infection and skin flap complications.