Percutaneous Pleural (chest cavity) or Abdominal Drain Aftercare

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  • Possible indications for drain insertion：
    1. Too much fluid or blood due to tumor growth, lymphatic obstruction, biliary tract obstruction, lung or heart disease…
    2. Infected fluid in the pleural or abdominal cavity or the biliary tract.
  • The drainage tube and drainage bag should be connected and sealed tightly. There should be no pulling, bending or twisting of the tube. Pin the bag onto your clothes using a safety pin. Avoid excessive or sudden movements that might result with the drainage tube slipping out. Keep the drainage bag lower than the puncture site to allow better flow.
  • You should be able to continue normal daily activities without limitation. Empty drainage bag when getting out of bed. Be careful not to squeeze the bag.
  • Keep the wound dry. Change wound dressing immediately after showering. Clean the skin around your tube every day using soap and water. You can cover the tube with sterile (germ-free) gauze if you like.
  • Check the stitches attaching the tube to the skin during dressing change. Also check the positioning of the tube that it has not slipped out.
  • Inform the medical stuff and ask for analgesics if there is pain.
  • Depending on your condition, you may be discharged with the tube and bag. Follow-up as scheduled and continue to practice daily wound and tube care.
  • Schedule an appointment to change the drainage tube if there are signs of tube obstruction such as leaking from the wound, sudden decrease in drained volume, or evident debris buildup causing poor flow. Otherwise, drainage tubes should be changed every 7 days.
  • Visit the ER if there are the following conditions：
    1. Sudden increase or decrease drained amount
    2. Change or color or characteristics of the drained material
    3. Fever or chills, or redness, swelling, pain, discharge over the puncture site
    4. Dislodged tube *do not try to reinsert the tube, cover the wound with clean gauze and go to the ER*
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