Surgical Drains Prophylactic Remove pus, blood, serous exudates, chyle or bile. Form a controlled fistula (e.g. t-tube after bile duct exploration)

Surgical Drains Therapeutic Drain pus, blood, serous exudates, chyle or bile. Drain air from pleural cavity. Drain Ascitis.

Surgical Drains Arguments for their use include: Drainage of fluid removes potential sources of infection Drains guard against further fluid collections May allow the early detection of anastomotic leaks or haemorrhage Leave a tract for potential collections to drain following removal

Surgical Drains Arguments against their use include: Presence of a drain increases the risk of infection Damage may be caused by mechanical pressure or suction Drains may induce an anastomotic leak

Classification Open System Closed System

jackson pratt (JP) drain

Penrose Drain

Pezzer Catheter

Pig-tail catheter

Pig Tail Catheter

T-tube

Chest tube