Should I be extra worried about bleeding when the drain is removed?

Question

Panniculectomy done a week and a half ago. i am on anticoagulants and need to have one of my JP drains removed. I’ve already had post op complications with bleeding. I have 2 JP drains. One drains 75mL/day, the other about 12mL/day. I take Coumadin daily (Factor V Leiden). Should I be extra worried about bleeding when the drain is removed? I have already had 2 clots that plugged a drain, as well as having an internal bleed that increased my drain output by almost 100mL/day and required a second hospitalization. The drain that’s now producing 12mL/day was producing about that before the bleed.

T. Randall Blanchard, MD · Answer

No, I don't believe that you are at increased risk of bleeding with routine post op drain removal, even if you are anti coagulated on coumadin. Your surgeon or their nurse will do this in a controlled fashion and monitor the site for a few minutes to see that you don't bleed. Good luck.

Adolfo Sesto, MD · Answer

Hi. Not  at all, the removal of the drain will not cause any bleeding, is easy and painless.
International Member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS)
Member of the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS)

Frederick G. Weniger, MD, FACS, MBA · Answer

Drain removal is fairly easy and painless, and should not cause any additional bleeding. Often times removing the external stitch that holds the drain in place is the part the patients feel the most. I have my patients log the amount of drainage they have every 24 hours and once I think the number is low enough I will remove them. I have my patients gradually return to normal activity once the drains are removed to prevent too much fluid build up from occurring rapidly. I then have my patients return to clinic 4-5 days to ensure no seroma is present. I would recommend discussing post-drain removal directions with your Board Certified Plastic Surgeon as he may have specific instructions for you. Good luck and best wishes!

Michael P. DePerro III, MD · Answer

I don't think you should have anything to worry about.  We routinely remove drains in patients that are on anticoagulation medications and I've never seen a bleed afterwards.  The drain is secured by one external stitch so it should come out very easily and it would be exceptionally rare for this to cause any bleeding.  Good luck with your recovery.

Should I be extra worried about bleeding when the drain is removed?

Answers (4)

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