Cancer Care For Women

Post Operative Instructions

Guide for Patients Discharged with a Drain in Place
Drains are placed under the skin during surgery to remove blood and other fluids that may collect there. Drains decrease the chance of infection and help the wound to heal. It is important that the drain be left in place until there is a decrease in the drainage. You do not need to stay in the hospital until the drain is ready to be removed.

Click here for a Drainage Record

This guide will help you to care for your drain at home. If you have any questions, call and ask your doctor or nurse.

To Empty the Drain

1. Wash your hands
2. Remove plug from the pouring spout.
3. Pour drainage into a measuring cup.
4. Flatten the drainage container. It can be placed on a flat surface and pressed with the palm of the hand. Keeping the container flat helps to remove drainage from under the skin.
5. While the container is compressed, replace the plug into the spout. Never compress the container with the spout plugged!
6. Record the date, time, and amount of drainage on the Drainage Record.
7. Empty the container at least three times a day (e.g., when you get up, in the afternoon, and before you go to bed). Never allow drainage to collect and fully expand the container--always empty and recompress to keep the container flat.

Care of Your Incision and Drain Sites

1. You must keep your incision dry and free from irritation.
   • Pin the drain(s) to your clothes or tape tightly to your skin.
   • Do not tuck the drain(s) into the waistband of pants or skirt.
2. Look at the skin around the incision and drain(s) every day. You may need a mirror to do this.

When to Call the Doctor

You should call the doctor if you have any of the following:

1. Redness, drainage or increased pain around the drain site(s) or incision.
2. A foul smell from the site.
3. Fever.
4. Unable to keep the drainage container flat.
5. No drainage for 12-24 hours.