Jp Drains 21 Days After Tt. How Long Can the Drains Be inn Without Complications?

Drains in my experience should be removed no later than 21 days. Drains left longer than 14 days can start to become an irritant and produce fluid.  

Dr. ES

Thank you for your question.  Drains are typically removed when there is less than 30cc in the drain for 24 hours.  In most cases, the first drain comes out by day 7 and the second drain by day 14.  Note that the drainage may increase after the first couple of days and the patient moves about more.  Each Board Certified Plastic Surgeon is different.  Please communicate with your Plastic Surgeon your concerns.  Together, you will make a plan.

If that is your total for more than one drain than you have to do the math for individual drains.  Most of us like to remove then at around 30-40 cc per day for an individual drain.  Sometimes, one can have a hematoma and as that liquifies the drainage continues.  If the drainage has not been trending down, then sclerosing agent is a good option.

When you have large areas that are undermined prolonged drainage is not unusual.  There is no set time to remove drains but you should be in direct contact with  your plastic surgeon and allow him to manage your recovery.  

There really is no time limit. Usually the limiting feature is how long the suture holds. As long as more than the threshold drainage (30cc/day for most surgeons) the drain will usually stay. By this time, you might ask your surgeon about sclerosis, injecting some betadine or tetracycline or alcohol (the latter one hurts) to encourage the pocket to seal itself off.

All the best.