What are the risks if I have my drains removed in a few days and they are still outputting more than 50cc?

If each drain is outputting more than 50cc a day I think the drains should stay in place. This is too much liquid volume for the body to absorb. Usually I wait till the drains are putting out less than 30cc a day per drain. Every plastic surgeon is different and every patient is different and these are just general guidelines. Please consult with your plastic surgeon to discuss whether removal of drains with this high in output is safe.it may be better to just keep the drains in place until the output significantly decreases.

Thank you for your question.  If the drains are removed you have some risk of a seroma.  If they are left in longer, you have a risk of developing an infection.  Discuss with your surgeon.

Great question.  the main risk of taking out drains too soon is that you will get a "Seroma" or fluid collection.  The reason we wait until drainage gets below 30cc or less, is that is what your body can take care of on its own without accumulating.  The danger of leaving extra fluid or a seroma is that is can leave a bump or deformity if left untreated long enough!

Drains are a nuisance, yet necessary after surgery like yours .   If taken out too early, you can develop a serum (fluid ) .   Depending on the location , some of my patients have had drains in as long as 3 plus weeks, but they are on oral antibiotics for the duration of drains being placed.  I would discuss with your Dr. and go from there.  

Hello and thank you for your question. The risks of leaving then in for too long is infection, while removing them when drainage still high is seroma formation. At this point I discuss the pro's and con's with my patient and together we move forward.  I will never leave them in for 3 weeks however.Peter Fisher M.D.