Penrose drains, anyone?

chicory · Jul 27, 2002

In my area, Penrose drains are still occasionally used.

meownsmile, BSN, RN · Jul 27, 2002

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.

Sleepyeyes · Jul 27, 2002

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

ageless · Jul 27, 2002

I mostly see them with after thyroidectomies.

Fgr8Out · Jul 27, 2002

We still receive patient's with Penrose drains... generally peri-rectal abscesses :eek: 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:)

NurseLKY · Jul 27, 2002

We still use them for a lot of oral surgeries ( abcess teeth and all)

nascargirl381 · Jul 27, 2002

We still use them a lot in pediatrics I have seen many of them after perinneal surgeries, abcesses (appendixes, and with imporfate orifice corrections.

sharann, BSN, RN · Jul 27, 2002

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.

Zee_RN, BSN, RN · Jul 28, 2002

Yep, penrose after carotid endarterectomies. Usually pulled the next day. Other neck surgeries too.

jschut, BSN, RN · Jul 28, 2002

When I was in Med-Surg I saw a few of them...

boggle, ASN, RN · Jul 28, 2002

:eek: 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!!!:)