What tubes can expect to see in PostOp e.g., JP drain

[littlelight98]

Can someone tell me what tubes and/or drains I might expect to see during my PostOp clinicat rotation - and the function of them, and some things to watch out for? Thanks so much.

[UM Review RN, ASN, RN]

You'll see these JP (Jackson-Pratt) drains used pretty frequently. All work on a passive suction principle and when you see them on a patient, the bulb or container should always look squished, like this:

See the little plug where the person's index finger is? OK, that's where you open the bulb to assess, drain and measure the fluid each shift. You will then squeeze the bulb and then put the plug back in. This way the bulb will gently pull fluid drainage out of the wound. The purpose is to keep a lot of fluid collecting around the wound so that the wound will heal better and the patient will have less pain. The swelling that the fluid build-ups cause can keep the inner stitches from healing well. The edema can also cause more pain for the patient. JP's are a good thing. Below is a gravity-passive drain, which I have seen less often, usually for neck and head surgeries. It's called a Penrose drain and it's just like a straw, and fluids will simply drip out and be caught on the dressings. It's way sloppier than the JP's but less invasive to delicate areas. In each case, it's very important to assess the amount, color, and quality of the drainage. Because the drainage is usually a very small amount, the collection cup will be measured in very small increments and will only be about the 8 oz.

[Daytonite, BSN, RN]

not trying to sound crude or gross but the surgeons can put a tube in any orifice or a hole they have created. most of these tubes are to allow collections of fluid to drain out of the body rather than build up inside the patient and create pressure and allow a medium for bacteria to thrive. jackson-pratt drains are for wounds that are only expected to drain a small amount and patients can and do go home with them still in. there are all kinds of names for the different tubes. there are special tubes for each of the special organs: chest tubes for the lungs, t-tubes for the biliary duct, n/g tube for the stomach (http://www.icufaqs.org/ngtubes.doc), jejunal tubes for the small intestine, tracheostomy and endotracheal tubes for the trachea (http://www.icufaqs.org/chesttubes.doc), we had a surgeon who was constantly sending his abdominal surgeries out with shirley tube drains and synder drains. every surgeon has a preference. every one of these tubes comes in a sterile wrapper and is disposable. you can find information about them either on the internet or by going to the central supply area of the hospital where they are stocked and asking for a copy of the package instructions that come with them.

[littlelight98]

thank you so much! you're the greatest!