Penrose drains, anyone?

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by boggle
Jul 26, '02   Views: 4,735   Comments: 18

  1. I'm looking at some procedure revisions- trying to bring things up to date. Would appreciate your input.

    Do any of you see Penrose drains used anymore? Are they obsolete? I see only Jackson Pratt and J-vac/ hemovacs used in my area.

    Many thanks!!
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    About boggle

    Joined: Sep '01; Posts: 603; Likes: 96
    med-surg

    18 Comments

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  3. by chicory
    Jul 26, '02
    Occupation: RN Med/Surg Joined: Jul '02; Posts: 44; Likes: 1
    In my area, Penrose drains are still occasionally used.
  4. by meownsmile
    Jul 26, '02
    Occupation: med/surg/ortho RN Joined: Oct '01; Posts: 2,617; Likes: 161
    Yes, we too see the occasional penrose drain come from surgery. Usually it is the "older" docs that use them. I havent seen one for quit a while though.
  5. by Sleepyeyes
    Jul 27, '02
    Joined: Dec '01; Posts: 3,165; Likes: 59
    Yes, and I LOVE pulling them while talking the patient through it, "OK honey, take a sloow deep breath while your hubby tries not to faint"........heh heh heh
  6. by ageless
    Jul 27, '02
    Joined: Apr '02; Posts: 468; Likes: 20
    I mostly see them with after thyroidectomies.
  7. by Fgr8Out
    Jul 27, '02
    Occupation: RN, CMSRN employed in a 600 bed Acute Care/Trauma Facility and CNA Instructor for a local Community College Joined: Mar '02; Posts: 459; Likes: 62
    We still receive patient's with Penrose drains... generally peri-rectal abscesses because that area can close back up easily and prevent adequate drainage. I find them useful in certain circumstances and feel that when our surgeons use them it's been with good reason.

    Peace
  8. by NurseLKY
    Jul 27, '02
    Occupation: Charge nurse Specialty: 5 year(s) of experience in Med/Surg ; Joined: Mar '02; Posts: 51; Likes: 4
    We still use them for a lot of oral surgeries ( abcess teeth and all)
  9. by nascargirl381
    Jul 27, '02
    Occupation: GN Joined: Jul '02; Posts: 76; Likes: 1
    We still use them a lot in pediatrics I have seen many of them after perinneal surgeries, abcesses (appendixes, and with imporfate anus corrections.
  10. by sharann
    Jul 27, '02
    Occupation: RN Joined: Feb '01; Posts: 1,840; Likes: 218
    Yes with neck surgeries(thyroids and such) and with certain dermatology procedures (I&D's with alot of gunk). Also, some plastic surgeries use em.
  11. by Zee_RN
    Jul 27, '02
    Occupation: RN, Inpatient Hospice Specialty: 17 year(s) of experience in Hospice, Critical Care ; From: US ; Joined: Oct '00; Posts: 1,664; Likes: 177
    Yep, penrose after carotid endarterectomies. Usually pulled the next day. Other neck surgeries too.
  12. by GPatty
    Jul 27, '02
    Joined: Aug '01; Posts: 3,725; Likes: 459
    When I was in Med-Surg I saw a few of them...
  13. by boggle
    Jul 28, '02
    Occupation: med-surg Joined: Sep '01; Posts: 603; Likes: 96
    WOW I'm surprised to hear they are still used so much.

    Thanks for all of your replies. Can you give any estimates how often penrose are used out of all the drain types you see???

    I'm guessing their use depends on preference of your hospital's surgeons. I see many wounds left to heal by secondary intention in many cases where penrose were used 10 years ago.

    All the head and neck surgeries here have jackson pratt.

    My next question for those of you who do see penrose commonly used is:

    Do you still advance them inch by inch each day or so? ?

    Thanks again for all of your input!!!
  14. by Brownbetty
    Jul 28, '02
    Occupation: Registered Nurse - Neonatal ICU Joined: Dec '01; Posts: 140; Likes: 1
    Yes, I have seen Penrose drains used in the NICU with a s/p gastrochesis infant.

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