In my practice, Drains are typically removed when they drain 30 cc or less clear straw colored fluid per drain per day. However different surgeons have different approaches to drain management and you should only follow your own surgeon's advise.
"When drains stop draining" is the "rule of thumb" used for the duration of time a drain remains in place. In practice, there is substantial variability in the duration of time. For cosmetic breast surgery, most surgeons leave drains in place until drainage is less that 30 mls for the preceding 24 hr period. This usually takes place less than 5 days following a surgical procedure. The uses of material such as Srattice may increase drainage and delay removal of drains. When drainage is prolonged, a surgeon must weight the risk of infection from prolonged placement of drains to the problems associated with seroma from drain removal. Antibiotic coverage is used frequently when prolonged placement of drains is necessary.
