Why is this procedure done?
In some cases, fluid gathers in the wound area after a surgery. This fluid may raise the chance of infection. It also slows down the healing process. When this happens, the doctor may put in a drain to bring the fluid outside the body. ‚
A hemovac drain may be used to help get rid of the extra fluid from around the cut site. A hemovac drain is made up of two parts. The first part is a thin rubber tube. The other part is a round drain with springs inside and a removable cap. When the round drain is compressed, it creates suction and the container collects fluid from the body. As the drain collects fluid, it becomes less and less compressed and loses suction when it is full. After emptying the drain, it is compressed again to create suction to drain the wound. ‚
What will the results be?
This drain gets rid of extra fluid from your cut site. This will help it to get better faster. ‚
What happens before the procedure?
- Talk to the doctor about all the drugs you are taking. Be sure to include all prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) drugs, and herbal supplements. Tell the doctor about any drug allergy. Bring a list of drugs you take with you.
- Tell your doctor about any bleeding problems. Be sure to tell your doctor if you are taking any drugs that may cause bleeding. Some of these are Coumadin, ibuprofen, Aleve (naproxen), or aspirin. Certain vitamins and herbs, such as garlic and fish oil, may also add to the risk for bleeding. You may need to stop these drugs as well. Talk to your doctor about them.
- Ask your doctor if you may eat or drink anything before the procedure.
- You will not be allowed to drive right away after the procedure. Ask a family member or a friend to drive you home.
What happens during the procedure?
- During surgery, your doctor will put one end of the rubber tube into the area where there is extra fluid. The tube will be held in place by a stitch in your skin.
- The other end of the rubber tube is hooked to the hemovac. The doctor will then remove the cap. The doctor compresses the round drain to get rid of the air. The cap is put back on the drain and this creates suction inside the hemovac. The excess fluid will be pulled out of your body.
- It may only take 20 to 25 minutes to put in the drain.
- You will not be awake if the drain is put in during surgery.
What happens after the procedure?
- You may be sore where the drain was put in. Your doctor will give you drugs for the pain.
- You may need to stay in the hospital until you are well enough to go home. Your doctor will watch to see how much fluid the hemovac drains each day.
- The nurses will empty the drain when it gets about half full or at certain times during the day.
What care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
- You will learn how to:
- Wash your hands every time before and after you empty the drain or change your bandage.
- Care for the skin around the site where the tube goes into your body.
- Empty the drain.
- Reset the suction, compress the drain on a flat surface with the stopper open. While the drain is flat, replace the stopper.
- Care for the tube if there is a clot in it. The doctor may tell you to squeeze the tube over the clot. You can also squeeze the tube from your skin to the hemovac and then let it go. This should open the tube. Ask your doctor to show you how to do this before you go home.
- Measure the amount of fluid collected each day and write it down on a chart.
- Look for signs of infection.
- Sleep on the side opposite to the hemovac. This prevents any kinking of the tubing or pulling out the suction bulb.
- Avoid bumping the drain.
- Your doctor may want you to attach the drain to your clothes with a safety pin while you are moving around. Ask your doctor to show you how to do this.
- Talk to your doctor about when it is safe to take a bath or shower. Ask your doctor about your activity level while you have your drain in place.
What follow-up care is needed?
- Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits.
- Your doctor will tell you when the drain may be removed.
What problems could happen?
- Fluid leaking from the cut site
- Bleeding
- Infection
- Clot in the tube
- Tube and drain falls out
- Cut area opens up
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Signs of infection. These include a fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher, chills.
- Signs of infection at the drain site. These include swelling, redness, warmth around the drain; too much pain when touched; yellowish or greenish or bloody discharge from drain site; foul smell coming from the drain site.
- Fluid in the drain turns cloudy or smells
- Drain becomes loose, comes apart, wont stay compressed, or falls out
Last Reviewed Date
2015-09-15 ‚
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Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care provider 's advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
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Copyright ‚ © 2016 Wolters Kluwer Clinical Drug Information, Inc. and its affiliates and/or licensors. All rights reserved. ‚