What are the consequences of pulling a drain out?

Drain tubes are placed in wounds after surgery where the tissue has been lifted up and moved enough to create a potential space or void on the inside. Tissue that has been ‘traumatized’ with surgery reacts by swelling and weeping fluid. If there is a potential space under the tissue, it can fill up with fluid and eventually make enough pressure to pop stitches or stretch the tissue that was just tightened. The drain tube suctions out this fluid to prevent the pressure from building up and causing problems. Over time the amount of fluid produced decreases as your tissue heals, and eventually the tube can be removed safely (usually 2-3 weeks after surgery).
If the drain comes out early it is not an emergency, but it is something you need to report to your doctor within a day or two as they will probably want to see you sooner than scheduled to check for fluid buildup. If fluid does build up, action will need to be taken to avoid complications.

Typically, your surgeon would not replace the drain, as this would require going back to surgery and reopening the incisions. Usually what is done is using a large needle to tap into the fluid pocket and draw off or aspirate the fluid. This is done in the office and does not require an anesthetic. Usually the spot the needle goes into is still numb from surgery. It sounds like a scary experience, but it is really not very uncomfortable at all. Depending on how early the drain fell out, it may require a few different sessions of aspiration over time to resolve the problem. If left untreated, it may cause the incision to open up, stretch the tissue enough to be loose or bulgy again, or leave you with a chronic fluid pocket that swells, can hurt and is a potential site for infection. So, if your drain comes out early…don’t panic! But, call your doctor in the morning and make a plan to treat it and keep you on the path to healing!

So sorry this happened to you.  Accidents with drains happen from time to time and is not an emergency.  Drains help the remove the excess fluid the body is producing as it is healing.  A quick visit to your plastic surgeon office for an evaluation and determination if drain can be placed back or possible aspiration necessary.  Good luck.

Thank you for your question regarding the consequences of accidentally pulling a drain out after an arm lift. While I do not typically use drains for my arm lift procedures, I understand your concern. Based on your situation, if your surgeon hasn’t requested an urgent visit, it’s likely that this is not a severe issue.

Drains are placed to prevent fluid buildup, but if one is removed prematurely, your body may naturally reabsorb the fluid, or it may drain externally through the incision site. This is usually not harmful, though it can cause temporary swelling or discomfort in the area.

If you notice significant swelling, redness, or increased discomfort in your arm, or if the fluid appears cloudy or has a foul odor, contact your surgeon immediately, as these could be signs of a complication such as infection or seroma formation. Until you see your surgeon, keep the incision site clean and avoid activities that could increase swelling or tension in the area.

It’s reassuring that your surgeon didn’t require you to be seen immediately. In most cases, a pulled drain does not cause significant issues, especially if it was already close to being removed. Be sure to follow up as planned with your surgeon for further evaluation and guidance.

I hope this helps reassure you during your recovery!

Sincerely,
Dr. Katzen

Oh no! Thank you for your question. If it is this soon after surgery, this is not the end of the world, but it is also not something your surgeon was planning on dealing with. There is no problem with waiting to be seen and discussing a plan, but there will likely be a high chance of developing a seroma in the area without the drain which might need to be drained with a needle. Hope this helps!

Thank you for your question. Patients do pull out their drains accidentally and it is nothing to be alarmed about. Depending on the surgery and the phase of healing you are in, it may be acceptable for the drain to be removed. Please ensure that the drain site is kept clean and that you put on a dressing to keep it waterproof until your next consultation. If there is bleeding gentle pressure for a few minutes should stop it. However, if there is persistent bleeding or discharge (which is unusual), you should seek medical attention early. Speak to your doctor or his nurse and update them on what happened. If they have told you to return the next day, it should be fine.
I hope this answers your question. Have a great week ahead and all the best!
Dr. Terence Goh
Singapore Plastic SurgeonMBBS (S'pore), MRCS (Edinburgh), MMed (S’pore)Fellow, Academy of Medicine, Singapore (Plastic Surgery)President, Singapore Association of Plastic Surgeons (SAPS)International Member, American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS)