Malfunctioning Drain After Facelift

I warned the anesthesiologist that I over-react to anesthesia so he only used propofol. However, I was still out over 4 hrs. after a face-lift, lower blepharoplasty, brown lift, and laser resurfacing. During this time, the drain tube would not drain and had to be reinserted 4 times. This caused major pain and a very painful hole for 2 wks afterward. Why do drains malfunction? Is this unusual? Is it something with my body's intolerance for anesthesia or the drains?

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14 Doctor Answers | Asked by CA Lassie

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Drains and Facelifts

Hi Central Florida7404, I'm sorry for the problems you had. Drains are mechanical devices and, as such, have a certain likelihood of failure. They usually work well, but it's not unheard of for them to malfunction. One issue is that if it is a closed-suction system, then if there was a leak (ie, the tissue was not perfectly closed at the end of the procedure - again, not that unusual or worrisome to have a small air leak) then the drain may not have worked well... more

The drain and the anesthesia are unrelated issues.

Not every facelift needs a drain. However, your surgeon must have felt strongly that a drain would be of value in your case. The drain reduces the risk of developing a hematoma or a fluid collection after surgery. They get clogged by the material the drain is intended to remove. Have a day or so, the drain is unnecessary for many patients. Ultimately, this problem and the discomfort you experienced by your surgeon attempting to get the drain working will have no... more

Kenneth D. Steinsapir, MD

8 reviews

Los Angeles Oculoplastic Surgeon

Nothing to do with the anesthesia - Drains are both a blessing and a curse.

Drains are of various types, but it sounds like you had a "suction" drain. They can fail due to an air-leak anywhere in the system; due to so much drainage that their ability to drain is overwhelmed; or due to clots. However we have found that patients who have drains tend to have less bruising. Usually they do not cause any discomfort. Your surgeon did the right thing in continuing to deal with the problem till it was solved. Dr. Mayl Fort Lauderdale more

Nathan Mayl, MD

7 reviews

Fort Lauderdale Plastic Surgeon

Drains after a facelift

Drains that are placed during a facelift will remove excess fluid and some residual blood after the procedure is over. It is very unusual to have to remove and replace the drains. Drains will sometimes become clogged with stuff that gets into the drainage tube but doesn't easily move through it. This is usually fixed by manipulating the drain itself. I'm not sure why your drain had to be replaced so many times, but it has nothing to do with the type of anesthesia you had. I'm not... more

Malfunctioning Drain

The fact that your drain malfunctioned has nothing to do with the anesthesia used. Drains occasionally malfunction. Fortunately seems like you did not have a hematoma.

Sam Naficy, MD

80 reviews

Seattle Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.seattleface.com

Facelift drains malfunction if not placed correctly, no suction is attached or if a blood clot forms in the drain

Facelift drains can malfunction for several reasons: Drain is not inserted deeply enough-most common problem The suction bulb loses suction or becomes full The drain is kinked or compressed and unable to exert suction A blood clot forms in the drain and blocks the drain The drain falls or is pulled out because it was not secured in place by a suture Most commonly the drain is not inserted deep enough so that one drainage hole is outside the skin, sucking... more

Face Lift, Mini Face Lift, The Palmer Celebrity Face Lift, Beverly Hills Face Lift

It sounds like you are referring to the IV line and not the drain used at the completed of the Face Lift. It sounds like it was positional which means the veins they used for the IV collapsed as your arm or hand was moved.

Drains After Facelift

I personally prefer to use passive drains (Penrose) while the patient has a compression dressing in place. I have found that active drains to be a very imperfect solution to the postoperative healing process. I have used both active and passive drains and found no difference in bruising with either variety, but more problems (such as clogging) with active drains.

Why Do Facelift Drains Malfunction ?

Drain malfunctioning usually means that the fluids it is supposed to transport does not run. Drains can clogg, kink or be blocked by a suture or by resting against tissue. Some surgeons believe that drains are a must for every facelift. Others only sometimes use it and then they are facelift surgeons (including myself) who never use drains. That your drain gave you trouble does not mean you are over-sensitive to it or that it is something specific to you.

Drains

There are several reasons that drains may malfunction. The key is not why the drain failed but how to treat the patient if the drain does fail. Clearly depending on the surgeon a drain may be replaced or not. As long as your surgeon recognizes the problem and addresses it in a timely fashion the cause of why the drain failed is not of any real significance. Hope this helps.