Are Diuretics helpful with eliminating fluid thru tummy tuck drain?

Question

I've had a drain in place for 13 days and I'm still putting out 300ML 3-4 times a day. My ps said I can pull the drain Friday, but I don't think I'll be ready. I'm concerned about infection if it stays longer than 15 days....

Earl Stephenson, Jr., MD, DDS, MBA · Answer

Unfortunately directors not help you reduce. You must trust your plastic surgeon's judgment. If you have a persistent seroma you may need to have slightly tighter compression or a sclerosing agent placed to help decrease the seroma formation.

Shim Ching, MD · Answer

Diuretics will not help.  They will increase your urine output, but will not do anything for the drainage.  The drainage is quite high.  Please consult your surgeon or obtain a second opinion about your situation.

Jeffrey M. Darrow, MD · Answer

This is very high drainage to be having 2 weeks after surgery.  I would not remove the drain but would ask your surgeon if some thing could be done to see WHY the drainage is so high.  Removal of the drain now likely will result in a fluid collection in you.

Michael Law, MD · Answer

Diuretics will not help with abdominal drainage. Always check with your plastic surgeon before taking any medications, either prescriptions or over the counter.

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

I am sorry to hear about the trouble you are experiencing with the drain output. I would share your concerns about removing the drains too soon;  in my practice, I would leave the drains in place until their output is significantly lower. The risk of infection taken by leaving the drains in for longer period of time is relatively small, compared to the risk of seroma ( fluid accumulation). I would not suggest the use of diuretics;  their effectiveness in this situation is unknown. On the other hand, the use of diuretics may result in problems with fluid shifts (possible dehydration) and/or electrolyte imbalances. Best wishes; hopefully, the drain output will be decrease significantly over the course of the next one to 2 weeks, without additional intervention.

Brian K. Brzowski, MD, FACS · Answer

If you are really putting out 300ml 3-4x/d, that would equal 900-1200cc/d.  That is an unusually high volume output and pulling the drain in that situation would be unwise.  You'd most likely need an evaluation to determine the cause of this leakage.Assuming that the volume is lower, hopefully somewhere more around 30ml 3-4x/d, then I'd still think the volume too high to recommend removal of the drains.Nonetheless, diuretics do not affect the drainage coming through the drains.  There is no evidence to suggest that taking a water pill would allow the drain to be removed sooner.While there is concern that the drain is at the risk for infection, and the longer the drain is present, the higher the risk, you are still likely getting more benefit from the drain than risk.  You're more likely to end up with a fluid pocket (seroma) from removing the drain too soon than you are to develop an infection from keeping it a little longer.

Are Diuretics helpful with eliminating fluid thru tummy tuck drain?

Answers (6)

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